WASHINGTON — The Senate has blocked a Republican effort to shut off federal funds for Planned Parenthood.
The vote Monday, August 3rd followed the release of videos secretly recorded by an anti-abortion group showing Planned Parenthood officials describing how they sometimes provide aborted fetal tissue for researchers.
The vote was 53-46 to end Democratic delaying tactics about the bill. That was seven short of the 60 votes the GOP needed.
Planned Parenthood opponents say the videos show that the group illegally profits from selling the organs. Many also hope the videos will turn public sentiment against abortion.
Planned Parenthood says it breaks no laws and legally recovers the procedures' costs. Democrats say the GOP bill is that party's latest attack on women's health care.
The fight will likely resume in the fall.