WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans are pressing their fight to bar federal aid to Planned Parenthood, but likely opposition from at least one GOP senator illustrates how tough it will be for them to prevail.
A showdown vote is expected early next week. Republicans want to block the money because of videos secretly recorded by an anti-abortion group. The videos showed Planned Parenthood officials describing their procedures for providing tissue from aborted fetuses for research.
Maine GOP Sen. Susan Collins said Wednesday that until more is known, she opposes immediately ending the federal support. She says the group provides health services to many women.
Abortion foes say Planned Parenthood shouldn’t provide the organs and have accused the group of profiting from it, which would be illegal. Planned Parenthood officials have denied any wrongdoing.