Senate Dems block GOP bill that would curb late abortions
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats blocked Republican legislation today that would prohibit most late-term abortions, the latest episode in a fight that has threatened to cause a partial government shutdown. At the same time, the chamber's GOP leader began choreographing a series of votes designed to avert a federal closure.
Senators voted 54-42 to move ahead on the abortion legislation, but that fell six votes short of the 60 needed to advance the bill. With Republicans holding 54 Senate seats, the outcome was pre-ordained, but the showdown let each side highlight its willingness to battle for its most loyal voters and contributors.
The vote was the second time since this summer's release of videos involving Planned Parenthood that Senate Democrats have derailed an abortion-related drive by the GOP. It was held less than 48 hours before a first-ever papal address to Congress by Pope Francis, who leads a Catholic Church that rejects abortion.
It also came as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was planning a pathway to passing legislation he hoped would keep federal agencies open and avoid a confrontation with President Barack Obama that could produce an Oct. 1 government shutdown.
McConnell scheduled a vote for Thursday on legislation keeping government agencies open through Dec. 11 while cutting off for one year the $450 million Planned Parenthood gets annually in federal funds, a third of its budget.