WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - As part of an effort to avoid a government shutdown at the end of the month, Senate Republicans are moving forward with a bill that would keep the government operating through the fall but cut off funding for Planned Parenthood.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ken., filed cloture on the bill on Tuesday, setting up a vote for Thursday afternoon.
The continuing resolution would fund the federal government through December 11th, although money for Planned Parenthood would be redirected to community health centers.
'For one year, it would defund Planned Parenthood and protect women's health by funding community health clinics with that $235 million instead,' McConnell said. 'This would allow us to press the 'pause' button as we investigate the serious scandal surrounding Planned Parenthood.'
He added, 'I know Democrats have already blocked virtually every bill to fund the government this year, but I'm asking them to allow the Senate to fund the government now.'
Republicans have been targeting Planned Parenthood funding since an anti-abortion group released undercover videos critics claim show Planned Parenthood executives discussing the illegal sale of aborted fetuses for medical research.
The bill is likely to fail, however, as most Senate Democrats strongly support continuing to provide funding for the health care group.
The vote is widely seen as a symbolic move by McConnell to appease conservative such as Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who have expressed vehement opposition to including funding for Planned Parenthood in any government funding bill.
Once the bill fails, McConnell is likely to introduce a 'clean' continuing resolution next week, although opponents could throw up procedural roadblocks.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has repeatedly argued that McConnell is wasting time with unnecessary votes on the Iran nuclear deal and abortion-related bills.
Earlier on Tuesday, Senate Democrats blocked a Republican bill that would have prohibited most late-term abortions.
'I hope we can make it and not have to see the government shut down again,' Reid said. 'We've seen that before. The American people have been to that rodeo before. And who have suffered? The American people.'
'I would hope that the Republican Leader has a plan to help us get out of this morass that they've created,' he added. 'We'll do everything we can within reason to make sure that the American people are treated fairly in the upcoming spending bills. But we have to get there by October 1st.'
The potential delays could put pressure on Republicans in the House, who will only have a short time to respond to the Senate bill and avoid a shutdown.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX