The House has voted to block money to implement President Barack Obama's health care law, a victory for Republicans trying to derail the program, and has approved a GOP proposal to block federal aid for Planned Parenthood. Lawmakers voted to deny the healthcare funding by a near party-line vote of 239-187.
Republicans say the healthcare overhaul, enacted last year, was an overstepping of power by Washington and would hurt the economy. Democrats say by preventing government agencies from carrying out the law, Republicans would harm families and help the insurance industry. The provision was made part of GOP bill cutting federal spending this year.
The House voted earlier this year to completely repeal the health program. But support for the overhaul by Obama and the Democratic-run Senate means House Republicans will almost certainly have to settle for less.
In addition, the House has approved a Republican proposal to block federal aid for Planned Parenthood. The 240-185 vote on Friday is a victory for pro-life forces led by Indiana GOP Rep. Mike Pence. He says taxpayer money should not go to groups that provide or promote abortion. (See related story)
Democrats say Planned Parenthood provides contraception and other valuable family planning services, and that cutting off the money will make it hard for women to get such basic help.
Planned Parenthood provides services in hundreds of clinics around the country. Pence aides say the group reported receiving $363 million in federal money in its latest report.
The proposal is part of a bill that seeks to cut government spending this year.
The Democratic-run Senate has stronger abortion rights views than does the House, making it unlikely the House proposal will survive.
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