As Senate considers massive spending bill, Rand Paul introduces measure to defund Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood could become a sticking point in Senate debates around appropriations.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., introduced an amendment to a massive spending bill under consideration this week that would block federal funding from going to Planned Parenthood or other organizations that perform abortions. He said the amendment contains the same language as an amendment which passed the U.S. House Appropriations Committee in July.

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Both the Washington Examiner and The Hill are reporting the amendment may face bipartisan headwinds since leaders agreed not to attach "poison pill" measures to the spending bill.

Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., head of the Senate Appropriations Committee, expressed skepticism the amendment would be included in measures to be voted on. “What we are trying to do is move our bills, and that could be a spoiler," he said, according to the Examiner.