Ahead of its vote in the Senate, the White House issued its official veto threat of a short-term government spending bill that would defund Planned Parenthood.
The White House bashed the bill for having “highly objectionable provisions that advance a narrow ideological agenda.”
“By eliminating Federal funding for a major provider of health care, 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 statement said.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest had previously told reporters that the president would veto any spending legislation that targeted the roughly $500 million Planned Parenthood receives, setting the stage for a potential government shutdown.
Democrats in the Senate are expected to filibuster the spending bill. It is then anticipated that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will bring up short-term funding legislation that would maintain government spending — including for Planned Parenthood — at its current levels, buying an additional several weeks for Congress and the White House to hammer out a broader budget deal.
