The White House on Thursday made good on its promise to reject legislation that would cut funding from Planned Parenthood, and warned Congress formally that President Obama would veto a Senate spending bill containing that measure.
“By eliminating federal funding for a major provider of healthcare, the Senate amendment to H.J.Res. 61 would limit access to health care for women, men, and families across the nation, and disproportionately impact low-income individuals,” the White House said.
“If the president were presented with H.J.Res. 61, as amended by this amendment, he would veto the bill,” it added.
The Senate on Thursday afternoon will try to advance the spending resolution, but 60 votes are needed to do so, and Democrats are expected to block it.
That will leave Republican leaders in the House and Senate in a bind, as they will feel pressure to pass a short-term spending bill that leaves Planned Parenthood funding intact. That measure runs the risk of losing GOP support, which means Republicans may need to lean on Democrats to pass it.
