Mike and Pat: Will You Stand with Keith?

As anticipated, S 1881 (A bill to prohibit Federal funding of Planned Parenthood Federation of America) received a majority of votes (i.e., 53 to 46) in the Senate but NOT enough to move forward.  While it sadly came as no surprise that Bob Casey (D) voted AGAINST S 1881, it has to be more of a surprise that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) voted AGAINST S 1881.  "Pro Life" Senator Lindsay Graham (R) didn't show up!  In contrast to seemingly less than sincere  politicians, there are others whose convictions are unmistakeable....

"Eighteen House conservatives told GOP leaders Thursday that they will not support any measure to fund the government if it continues to fund Planned Parenthood.

"'We must act to fully defund Planned Parenthood,' they wrote in a letter obtained by The Hill. 'Please know that we cannot and will not support any funding resolution — an appropriations bill, an omnibus package, a continuing resolution, or otherwise — that contains any funding for Planned Parenthood, including mandatory funding streams.'

"The letter was addressed to Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), who all have expressed concern about several leaked videos that show Planned Parenthood officials caught on hidden cameras discussing aborted fetal tissue.

"'It is imperative that Congress do everything within its power to investigate these reports and take immediate action to stop them,' the Republicans wrote, adding that they want leadership to hold a conference meeting as soon as possible to discuss the GOP’s plan.

"The letter was signed by Reps. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), John Fleming (R-La.), Raúl Labrador (R-Idaho), Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.) Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.), Curt Clawson (R-Fla.), Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.), Keith Rothfus (R-Pa.), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Scott Perry (R-N.J.), Steven Pearce (R-N.M.), Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) and Louie Gohmert (R-Texas).

"With 18 Republicans already ruling out support for a funding bill in September if it contains Planned Parenthood funding, it could create a problem for leaders as they seek to avoid a government shutdown in October"....

"Separate from the main appropriations package, Congress will have to pass before Oct. 1, Rep. Diane Black (R-Tenn.) introduced a bill that would immediately block funding for Planned Parenthood until investigations have ended" [i.e., HR3134,] (http://thehill.com/policy/finance/249694-18-house-republicans-pledge-to-oppose-spending-bill-with-planned-parenthood)

Mike Fitzpatrick is NOT among the 163 co-sponsors of HR 3134 and has NOT vowed to join with the aforementioned 18.