Conservative leaders have chosen to delay until January a House vote on a budget reconciliation measure (HR 3762) that would block federal funding for Planned Parenthood and repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act (PL 111-148), the AP/Sacramento Bee reports (Fram, AP/Sacramento Bee, 12/16).
Federal Defunding Efforts in Reconciliation and FY 2016 Budget Measures
When a stopgap spending bill -- which included funding for Planned Parenthood -- was debated earlier this year, some conservative lawmakers said they would not support any government spending measure that includes funding for the organization. On Wednesday, the House and Senate Appropriations committees unveiled a $1.15 trillion government spending bill that would not defund Planned Parenthood. Federal lawmakers are expected to vote on the bills Thursday or Friday.
Meanwhile, congressional leaders have been pursuing an alternative budget procedure known as reconciliation. The Senate on Dec. 4 voted 52-47 to pass a budget reconciliation bill that would defund Planned Parenthood and repeal several ACA provisions. Through budget reconciliation, certain legislation can advance in the Senate with a simple majority vote.
The part of the reconciliation measure that targets Planned Parenthood would end federal funding for the organization for one year. According to the Congressional Budget Office, that amounts to about $390 million in Medicaid funding. Meanwhile, the measure would add $235 million in funding for community health centers.
The House, which approved a different version of the bill in October, is expected to pass the Senate version. President Obama has pledged to veto the bill if it passes through Congress (Women's Health Policy Report, 12/16).
Conservative Lawmakers Tee Up Votes for January
According to congressional aides, a House vote on the reconciliation bill is slated for Jan. 6, which would give Obama until Jan. 18 to veto the measure.
Conservative lawmakers have announced that a vote to override Obama's expected veto is scheduled for Jan 26. According to the AP/Bee, the vote "is certain to fail" (AP/Sacramento Bee, 12/16).
