While we're still finding out the details about the deal made to avert the government shutdown last night, we have learned that Planned Parenthood defunding was a major obstacle in the final hour. One-third of Planned Parenthood's $1 billion annual budget comes from federal subsidies. It was that $350 million that became this budget agreement's sticking point. The U.S. House voted to cut off Planned Parenthood's federal subsidies as part of overall spending cuts in its budget proposal, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid refused to bring it up for a vote in the U.S. Senate while the President insisted he would veto if the cut made it to his desk. Still, the House leadership held out for the PP cuts.
According to reports, Planned Parenthood funding was not zeroed out in the final deal, but Reid agreed to at least bring it for a vote in the U.S. Senate. It is an assumption President Obama, who is a loyal supporter of Planned Parenthood, will veto cutting off funds to the organization if it passes the Senate.
Besides the abortions performed at Planned Parenthood clinics, concerned taxpayers don't like the fact that hundreds of thousands of their dollars find their way into political campaigns. Open Secrets shows how Planned Parenthood affected 2010 elections with outside spending, always helping Democrats over Republicans:
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