House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said Monday national security has become the top issue Republicans are looking promote as a possible “add on” in the upcoming government spending bill, and said this issue may end up replacing efforts to defund Planned Parenthood.
“I think security is becoming the top issue that I’m hearing about,” McCarthy, R-Calif., told a group of reporters on Monday. “Especially in the past two weeks. The country is in one place and the president is in a different place.”
McCarthy said a newly formed task force examining ways to increase national security following the terrorist attacks in Paris earlier this month. The task force is closely examining the nation’s visa waiver program and will likely produce legislation to strengthen the security of the program by the end of the year, McCarthy said.
As for Planned Parenthood, McCarthy pointed to another House-appointed task force to examine a series of undercover videos that show organization employees discussing the sale of fetal tissue.
“My personal opinion is I do not think tax dollars should be spent,” on Planned Parenthood, he said.
But he suggested members are unlikely to push for language calling for the defunding of the organization in the spending legislation, which faces a Dec. 11 deadline.
Democrats have promised to oppose defunding language and the president said he would veto the measure, which would guarantee a government funding showdown and possible closure.
But that won’t be happening, McCarthy said. “I do not hear people shutting down the government right now,” McCarthy said.
Republican leaders are likely to attach “riders,” or extraneous provisions to the spending legislation, and it appears they will focus on something that can win Democratic support.
The House earlier this month overwhelmingly passed a bill calling for heightened scrutiny of Syrian and Iraqi refugees Obama plans to resettle in the United States. The bill, which would all but halt the resettlement program, won 47 Democratic votes and would likely have enough support to override a presidential veto.
But McCarthy would not rule out an effort to include a provision to defund Planned Parenthood when the House considers the spending legislation.
“I’m sure there will be debate,” McCarthy said.
