A recent budget bill that would have kept the federal government running until December 11 was filibustered and defeated by Senate Democrats on September 24, due to the fact that the bill also intended to cut off funding to Planned Parenthood. This opens up an issue for Congress because if a spending bill is not passed by the beginning of October, a government shutdown will occur. Thus, though Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was aware that the bill would not pass through the Senate, this was simply part of an attempt by more moderate Congressional Republicans to prevent a government shutdown from occurring. This would be particularly harmful to the reputation of these politicians, seeing as they were already largely responsible for a government shutdown back in 2013.
Mitch McConnell's failed vote was essentially a method of demonstrating that a provision to defund Planned Parenthood would simply not be approved by Senate Democrats and their ability to filibuster (meaning that 60 votes total are needed to pass the bill, rather than just a majority). As a result, he and other leading Republican figures are pushing for a vote on a new spending bill that does not cut off funding to Planned Parenthood, hoping that House Republicans will approve of it. In addition, Speaker of the House John Boehner is in favor of this compromise, though he plans on later introducing something called a "Reconciliation Bill" to defund the organization, which is immune to the Democrats' filibuster power.
Obviously, the central-right Republicans in Congress are more concerned with preventing a government shutdown than making a foolhardy attempt to stop Planned Parenthood funding.
Nonetheless, the views of more moderate Republicans are not shared by conservative politicians. A leader among Congressional Republicans demanding a provision that strips Planned Parenthood of funding, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas remains committed to passing a bill that takes away federal cash-flow to the non-profit organization. Though a number of far-right politicians are siding with him, many Congressional Republicans realize that the risk associated with trying to pass an anti-Planned Parenthood bill is not worth a potential government shutdown. In addition, Planned Parenthood has already received its funding for the year, and so it would only stop receiving a flow of federal money in April 2016.
Thus, as a result of all these factors, it is unlikely that the upcoming spending bill will contain a provision to defund Planned Parenthood, and the more moderate Congressional Republicans will most likely prevail in their pragmatic attempt to keep the government running and preserve their reputation. Debates over the fate of Planned Parenthood will resume later in the fall, though Senate Democrats and President Obama will likely do everything in their power to prevent Planned Parenthood from losing funding.
Personally, I agree with the Senate Democrats in this situation because Planned Parenthood provides essential healthcare services to low-income women and men (not just endless abortions, contrary to popular conservative belief). This NPO is a critical to women who need mammograms, STD Tests, and access to contraceptives, especially when they cannot afford these services under normal conditions. In addition, the federal government is not allowed to provide funds for abortion, and so defunding Planned Parenthood is an impulsive decision by conservative Republicans.
I applaud Senate Republicans like Mitch McConnell and John Boehner for realizing the importance of reaching a compromise in the budget bill. Doing so enables the smooth functioning of government and prevents right-wing conservatives from having their way in the midst of more important matters.
What do you think? Should Congressional Republicans continue to push for an anti-Planned Parenthood provision, or should they make the pragmatic choice and just agree on a bipartisan spending bill?
Sources:
http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/24/politics/planned-parenthood-vote-pope-francis/index.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/23/us/politics/abortion-limits-bill-senate.html
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3 comments:
I think it is definitely in the Republicans’ best interests to pass a bill that settles the immediate budget concerns and prevents a government shutdown. The Republicans only just regained control of both houses of Congress in the last midterm, which they haven’t had for years. It would be very ineffectual and weak on their part to allow the second government shutdown in as many years due to a comparatively petty desire to paralyze Planned Parenthood. Allowing a government shutdown from a complete unwillingness to compromise would look incredibly poor in the eyes of the American people as well, who just put the Republicans in control. It would be best for them to compromise now and not let the whims of hard-line conservatives like Ted Cruz dictate their goals and hurt the image of the party. They can tackle the Planned Parenthood issue in a future bill. Right now, it is most important that they prevent a government shutdown.
I think that for the sake of solely running the government, they should push harder for the bill to be passed to keep the government running. Morally, I agree with Planned Parenthood only in the regard that it provides healthcare and options that wouldn’t be available otherwise but it has gone too far by paying for, and thus supporting, abortions. This should not be government funded and should be fundraising privately to raise funds. I think the Congressional Republicans should continue to try for an anti-Planned Parenthood provision because it doesn’t make sense that this non-profit organization is receiving federal funding while many other national non-profit organizations, that have much worthier causes, are not.
I think the question posed in leaning toward the pro views of Planned Parenthood. I disagree and don’t believe the party should settle on the bill just for the sole purpose of satisfying the government.
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