Anti-abortion leaders face hard task of defunding Planned Parenthood

On a sweltering Thursday morning, a group of anti-abortion leaders huddled close to the House side of the Capitol building. They had gathered outside to rally around defunding Planned Parenthood for a second time, as the organization had regained access to Medicaid reimbursements last week.

Inside the Capitol at the same moment, the House Budget Committee was working to advance a framework for a third reconciliation bill. It did not include language to block federal funding to Planned Parenthood.