WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Republican presidential contender Rand Paul said on Sunday he plans to continue his push to cut federal funding on the non-profit women’s health group Planned Parenthood over a dispute about treatment of aborted fetal tissue.
“I’m going to try to force a vote on this. I think the time is now to discuss whether taxpayer dollars should be going to such a gruesome procedure,†Paul, a Kentucky senator, said on Fox News Sunday. “People are outraged by this and I think the American people deserve to have a vote on it.â€
Paul said he was pursuing several strategies, including a so-called discharge petition that he said requires the support of at least 16 additional senators. Paul’s earlier attempt to attach a defunding amendment to transportation legislation was blocked by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
(Reporting by Alina Selyukh; Editing by Lisa Lambert)
- Rand Paul