As Democrats on Monday led a filibuster in the Senate against a GOP plan to block all federal funding for Planned Parenthood, Republicans vowed to revisit the controversy over how the group sells fetal tissue from abortion to researchers, arguing the activity is beyond the pale.
"We've got to do something about it," said Sen. David Perdue (R-GA), one of many Republicans still expressing shock over undercover videos that spawned the issue.
"This is way outside the bounds of any civil acceptability," Perdue told me after voting to block Planned Parenthood funding.
Other Republicans joined in saying they would not abandon their effort.
A test vote in the Senate was mainly along party lines, as Republicans were six votes short of the 60 needed to force action on the bill.
Credit: Jamie Dupree
Credit: Jamie Dupree
"Until these allegations have been answered and resolved, I do not believe that taxpayer money should be used to fund this organization," said Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), who told reporters just off the Senate floor that he wants more answers on what exactly Planned Parenthood is doing with fetal tissue.
As for Democrats, they belittled the Republican effort, again raising their familiar refrain that the GOP was involved in a "War on Women."
"Do you have any idea what year it is?" asked Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), as she mocked the GOP effort on Planned Parenthood. "Did you fall down, hit your head and think you woke up in the 1950's?"
But GOP leaders made clear they were not going to abandon investigations into the issue - especially since more videos will reportedly be released in the weeks ahead.
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