Cornyn: Senate to vote Monday on defunding Planned Parenthood

“We’ll find out Monday night,” the Texas Republican told reporters on whether or not Republicans would be able to get the 60 votes needed to overcome a procedural hurdle. 

 

{mosads}Cornyn spoke with reporters after a press conference with a handful of Senate Republicans who pressed for legislation rolled out Tuesday that would cut off federal money for Planned Parenthood and redirect the funding to other women’s health groups. 

 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) hasn’t specified when a vote would occur, instead saying that it would take place “next week” before senators leave for the August recess. 

 

Asked about Cornyn’s timeline, a spokesperson for McConnell said that a Monday vote on defunding Planned Parenthood was “possible,” but no vote has been scheduled yet. 

 

Republicans have renewed their push to defund the agency in the wake of a string of controversial, hidden-camera videos. The third, released Tuesday, appeared to show a Planned Parenthood official in Colorado negotiating with someone posing as a buyer of fetal tissue. 

 

Senate Republicans could face an uphill battle to get the support needed to pass their legislation. Democrats are disavowing the bill, calling it an attack on women’s health. Meanwhile Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) told reporters earlier Wednesday that while she was still studying the bill, she would likely vote no. 

 

The push to defund the organization could also put a handful of Senate Republicans running for reelection next year in blue-leaning states in a tough spot. 

 

While Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who faces a potentially tough reelection bid, is a co-sponsor, Sens. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) have yet to sign on.