House of Representatives Votes to Defund Planned Parenthood

The House of Representatives voted 240-185 Friday in favor of cutting off all funding for Planned Parenthood, with just 11 Democrats voting with Republicans—and only seven Republicans defecting. Indiana Republican Mike Pence put forward the bill, saying he believes that while some people may support legal abortions, they do not want their tax dollars to pay for abortions. But while Planned Parenthood did receive an estimated $317 million in government funds last year, that money also went to services such as pelvic exams, breast exams, safe sex counseling, infertility counseling, and other services. The GOP's final package will also block the EPA's global warming regulations and pull the plug on health-care overhaul funds. It is unlikely to pass the Senate, and Obama has threatened to veto the package should it do so, prompting government shutdown fears.