Senate aims to vote on defunding Planned Parenthood

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is planning to hold a vote on legislation in coming days on a Republican bill halting federal funding of Planned Parenthood, following the release of videos involving use of aborted fetal tissue for medical research.

“The leader is working with his members to address this horrific issue and intends to have a vote before we leave” for a five-week summer recess, said McConnell spokesman Michael Brumas.

Republican Senator Rand Paul has introduced legislation to prohibit any federal funds to Planned Parenthood.

The release of the videos sparked outrage among many Republicans, who control both the Senate and House of Representatives, with two House panels initiating investigations.

Some Democrats have requested investigations into the anti-abortion group, Center for Medical Progress, which secretly recorded conversations of Planned Parenthood officials talking about ways to perform abortions to preserve fetal tissue for research.

Planned Parenthood says a tiny portion of its overall activities are devoted to abortions with other activities including family planning and health and nutrition services for women.

(Reporting By Richard Cowan; Editing by Bill Trott)

• Planned Parenthood
• Senate Majority Leader
• Mitch McConnell