The party of death.
(Politico) — The Senate’s fiercest abortion rights supporters vowed to block two measures Republicans are pushing in the House from passage in the upper chamber.
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) told reporters “I do think we’ll have 41” votes necessary to block legislation backed by some members of House GOP leadership that would further restrict federal funds for abortions. Boxer was referring to a procedural maneuver that would require 60 votes to get a bill to the floor.
The Democrats’ Tuesday news conference was a warning shot aimed at bills sponsored by GOP Reps. Chris Smith of New Jersey and Mike Pence of Indiana that will both be heard by committees this month. Smith’s bill would eliminate any federal funds for abortion, while Pence’s legislation would prohibit federal funds for any organization that provides abortions.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told POLITICO that he would “take a look at what the House sends over and see what’s appropriate,” but his spokesman said the GOP senator opposes federal funding for abortion — a position that puts him in line with many House Republicans who support the anti-abortion measures.
But Senate Democrats, including Boxer, fear that if the House passes either bill, Republicans would fold them into a larger must-pass bill — effectively forcing their chamber’s hand.