The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to overturn an Obama-era federal regulation blocking states from stripping federal family planning funds from Planned Parenthood after Vice President Mike Pence cast a tie-breaking vote.
In the final days of former President Barack Obama’s administration, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a regulation barring states from stripping federal funds from Planned Parenthood.
The regulation — which went into effect only two days before Obama left office — prevented states from restricting the ability of “specific types of providers,” such as Planned Parenthood, to receive Title X funds “based on reasons unrelated to their ability to provide required services in an effective manner.”
Republicans vowed to undo the regulation, and in February, the House of Representatives voted to rescind it. Rep. Diane Black (R-Tenn.) spearheaded that effort in the House.
On Thursday, Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted with Democrats against repealing the regulation, requiring Pence to cast a tie-breaking vote. READ MORE
