House votes to transfer federal funding from Planned Parenthood to health centers

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, has renewed his call for Congress to continue the fight to defund and investigate Planned Parenthood.

According to the Associated Press, the measure comes amid controversy over a recent series of videos which appear to show Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of aborted fetal tissue.

The bill, which is not expected to clear the Senate, passed in a 241-187 vote, with almost all the votes for the bill coming from Republicans and almost all the votes against it coming from Democrats.

Beyond Friday’s bill, some conservatives want to attach language halting Planned Parenthood’s payments to broader legislation financing government agencies, which otherwise run out of money next Thursday. “Radical anti-abortion groups who want to shutdown Planned Parenthood and deny women access to safe and legal abortions”. The bill is unlikely to pass the Senate, where Democrats have said they will filibuster, and President Barack Obama has also promised to veto any measure that disrupts Planned Parenthood’s funding.

Representative David Jolly, of Florida said, “We ensure that critical women’s health care remains fully funded which this legislation does, through federally qualified clinics across the country, that planned parenthood be disqualifies from tax dollars until we get to the bottom of the allegations”. Fetal tissue has been crucial to research that has helped develop vaccines and treatments for diabetes, among many other things.

Hard-right Republicans and conservative evangelicals have taken a hard stance against reproductive rights and Planned Parenthood, saying to defund it or risk another shutdown.

A second bill, which passed the House 248-177, would impose criminal penalties on doctors who do not attempt to save infants born alive during abortions. “We are really feeling the support of the public and the community”, said Sari Stevens, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania.

Funding for the government runs out at the end of the month, and several dozen House Republicans have said they won’t vote for a funding bill that includes money for Planned Parenthood.

“Women’s health care should be available from providers who do not practice these horrendous acts”. There’s no charges at all that are pending against Planned Parenthood.

The videos have been described by analysts as manipulative and highly edited.

All but two Democrats vehemently disagreed with the Republicans’ standpoint, arguing that the bill would affect millions of women including those who aren’t seeking abortions.