WH won't commit to defunding Planned Parenthood in spending bill

[DonViejo]

Source: The Hill



BY JORDAN FABIAN - 03/27/17 02:43 PM EDT

The White House refused to commit Monday to defunding Planned Parenthood in an upcoming must-pass spending bill, a sign it’s looking to avoid a government shutdown over the hot-button issue.

President Trump viewed the now-dead Republican healthcare bill as “an opportunity to defund” Planned Parenthood, according to press secretary Sean Spicer, who wouldn’t say whether the president would demand defunding in future legislation.

“I don’t want to get ahead of our legislative strategy,” Spicer told reporters. “We’ll look at other opportunities, but this was definitely one that was a way to make that happen.” The comments set a marker for talks on the government spending bill, which Congress must pass by April 28 to avoid a shutdown.

Conservative Republicans are pushing for action defunding Planned Parenthood to be included in the measure. But doing so could make it impossible to pass through the Senate, where it will likely need 60 votes to pass. But Democrats, whom Republicans will need to break a potential filibuster of the bill, are deeply opposed to defunding the organization.

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/325951-wh-wont-commit-to-defunding-planned-parenthood-in-govt-funding-bill

[bluecollar2]

1. Can't the guardians of the privileged (GOP)

Invoke the nuclear option and just ram their agenda through?

[BumRushDaShow]

2. It will be hard for them to change the rules

for something "minor" like this. The Senate likes to be the "deliberative body".

[bluecollar2]

3. but technically they could right?

I guess I don't understand the rules....

[BumRushDaShow]

8. The filibuster rule was not eliminated

when they invoked the "nuclear option" back in 2013. They just changed (for that purpose) what was considered the amount of votes that would be considered a majority for those nominations (different from the standard 3/5). And in most cases, that has mainly been used for speeding up nomination votes vs standard legislation such as appropriations.

The Senate's authoritative source on their rules is included in Riddick's Senate Procedure, which is pretty fascinating! The Parliamentarian uses this and each section has a PDF available.

[Honeycombe8]

4. The problem seems to be that the Repubs have issues within their own ranks.

You use the nuclear option to get around the opposition. But that's when your own party is behind the action. (IF they can use the nuclear option...that's used for narrow pieces of legislation, though, I THINK. Not broad bills.)

[bluecollar2]

6. it's all very confusing to me I'm afraid

Is the option specific to the situation or do all bills then only require a simple majority?

[Honeycombe8]

7. I don't know. I'm in the dark on that as much as you are. nt

[bluecollar2]

9. I grew up in the UK so my knowledge

Of US Government is not very broad.

Thanks for your input....

The whole situation is fascinating.

[bucolic_frolic]

5. Chickens afraid of consequences

Once they start political considerations they're worrying about the next election

[JudyM]

10. May be the mark of tRump's new special blonde advisor.

[cstanleytech]

11. PP should get a huge funding increase imo as abortions are only a small fraction of

things it provides to women at little to no cost which is invaluable especially to the millions of women who dont have much money.