Countering the Christian Tea Party movement, pro-abortion congressmen insist that government funding of the abortion industry must not be cut, and accept a government shutdown to make this point.
For background, read America Hinges on Defunding Planned Parenthood
-- From "Zeroed Out: Cuts to Planned Parenthood, Public Broadcasting, EPA Stymie Budget Talks" by Devin Dwyer, ABC News 4/7/11
On the surface, the budget battle in Washington hinges on the size of spending cuts, but it could be the policy on funding for Planned Parenthood and public television that ultimately lead to a government shutdown.
The difference between the two sides on spending cuts is merely a fraction of 1 percent of the overall budget. But the real sticking point seems ideological, in the form of policy riders that would significantly change government priorities.
The GOP riders would ban federal funding for Planned Parenthood, block Environmental Protection Agency efforts to regulate greenhouse gases and hamstring the carrying out of Democrats' recent legislative achievements, including a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and health care reform law.
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From "Abortion Returns To Center Stage" by Laura Meckler, Wall Street Journal 4/7/11
Until this week, social issues have been largely overshadowed by economic matters amid suggestions from Republican leaders that such debates be put aside while the nation tackles its debt. But now, social conservatives are flexing their muscles, insisting that Planned Parenthood be stripped of federal funding in the spending bill for the rest of the current fiscal year.
Both Republicans and Democrats say abortion is among a handful of matters holding up final agreement on the spending bill and threatening a partial government shutdown.
A second provision would bar the District of Columbia from using its share of Medicaid funding to cover abortion. States are allowed to use state funds to cover abortion, but Congress has the power to put special restrictions on the District, and had done so until 2009.
The White House and most Democrats oppose both measures.
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From "Murray 'stunned' government might shutter over Planned Parenthood" by Meredith Shiner, Politico 4/7/11
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said Thursday that Republican pressure to include a rider to a budget deal defunding Planned Parenthood is “stunning” to her as a woman and that Senate leadership will not back down in their support of women’s health issues.
Reid devoted much of his floor remarks, and then later statement in a press conference, to discussing the women’s health-based negotiations sticking point.
Senate Republicans Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine already have indicated publicly that they would not support the House GOP plan to cut off government funds from Planned Parenthood. Thursday, advocates for the organization rallied at the Capitol.
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