The Hill: Reid: Rider on Planned Parenthood won't be included in budget deal

Reid: Rider on Planned Parenthood won't be included in budget deal
By Alexander Bolton - 03/17/11 08:28 PM ET

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Thursday drew a firm line with Republicans, declaring that a controversial Planned Parenthood measure will not be included in any deal on the budget.

~Democrats argue that stripping Planned Parenthood of funds would deprive low-income women of family-planning counseling and cancer screenings. Republicans and groups on the right claim that the government should not be in the business of funding an organization that performs abortions. They also note Planned Parenthood has been plagued by a recent scandal, adding it is the perfect time to cut off its federal funds.

Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), who crafted the Planned Parenthood measure, has repeatedly said “it’s time to pick a fight” with Democrats over the budget, strongly making the case for his amendment. A Pence spokesman declined to comment on Reid’s remarks.

Democratic aides familiar with the talks say that the Planned Parenthood measure is one of a long list of policy riders that could derail a bipartisan deal. Reid said he reviewed the list of amendments attached to the House-passed bill and found several unacceptable. “Those that I focused on are not only no, but hell no,” Reid said.

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http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/150629-reid-no-deal-on-abortion-planned-parenthood