A key provision to block Medicaid funding to abortion provider Planned Parenthood will remain in the One Big Beautiful Bill after Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled on Monday that the language indeed complies with the chamber’s strict budget reconciliation rules.
The provision, which would bar Medicaid reimbursements for one year to “prohibited entities” that perform abortions was revised late Friday by GOP leaders in an effort to meet the criteria of the Senate’s Byrd Rule, which the Parliamentarian is supposed to follow. That rule limits what can be included in reconciliation bills, which are bills that can pass with a simple majority and cannot be filibustered.
The language does not specifically name Planned Parenthood, but it is the only national organization impacted by the restriction.
Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine broke from Republicans and joined Democrats in supporting an amendment by Washington Democrat Sen. Patty Murray that would have restored the funding. The Murray amendment was defeated 49-51.
On Tuesday morning, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America said she is the ground at the Capitol for the Senate vote on the One Big Beautiful Bill, “a historic move to end forced taxpayer funding of Big Abortion. If it passes, it’ll be the biggest pro-life victory since Dobbs!”
The Parliamentarian’s ruling clears the path for Senate Republicans to include the one-year Planned Parenthood funding ban in the final bill, which they aim to pass using the reconciliation process without needing Democratic support. As of this writing, the Senate is moving into its 28th hour of voting on amendments to the bill, as Democrats seek to abort the bill entirely. Vice President JD Vance is on hand to break a possible tie vote.
Politico reported Monday that “Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s ability to pass the “big, beautiful bill” is hinging on Sen. Lisa Murkowski.”
Murkowski has been the subject of “an intense whip effort by GOP leaders over the past couple of hours as they try to offer her reassurances on Medicaid and food assistance. Thune, Finance Chair Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso talked to Murkowski on the floor for roughly an hour overnight. Thune and Murkowski huddled briefly in his office, and they were mum on details when they emerged shortly before 4 a.m.,” Politico reported.
Murkowski was holding out in an attempt to get more Medicaid money for Alaska and to preserve grants for so-called green energy.
How can Murkowski and Collins “break with Republicans” when they aren’t “with Republicans” to begin with?
Suzanne; Are you going to write a story on how the born in Alaska, the Honorable U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski saved Presidents Trumps Big Beautiful Bill?
https://mustreadalaska.com/breaking-one-big-beautiful-bill-passes-senate/
Don’t kid yourself She was forced to And she hated every minute of it, If she had it her way she would never vote Republican
Nancy and I intervened at the last minute. We told her if she didn’t support Trump’s BBB, we would cut all inheritance ties to her and House Husband. And, we wouldn’t support her further write-in candidacy if it got down to that. Credit Murkowski ingenuity for saving the day.
Lisa did not save Trump’s big beautiful bill. She didn’t save anything, especially all the unborn babies who are sacrificed to the infanticide industrial complex. She realized that she would be primaried and reluctantly voted in order to save her during the next election so she could have that big, fat, juicy Senate pension.
The woman is criminal in her continual waste of tax payer money in order to sustain her electorate in Alaska.
We don’t want your welfare, Lisa!
We tried to teach Lisa that the sanctity of life begins with caring for those beautiful unborn babies. But Lisa never caught on. The number one Rule for us Catholics is to preserve the precious lives of those not yet brought into the world. Now, Lisa wants her very own constituents to pay for the deaths of those babies. Shame! Lisa really is a slow learner, in so many ways.
I’ve seen your daughter at Mass, years ago, looking for votes.
U.S. Constitution recognizes no particular religion.
The green energy “grants” (pork) will provide absolutely no benefit for the average Alaskan living on the Railbelt. Senator Murkowski could care less about the day when the natural gas spigot in the Railbelt is dry and empty.
Calling it Planned Parenthood is a misnomer. More like Baby Termination Services.
We went to Planned Parenthood once to get advice on when and how to become parents, and perhaps a recommendation for a good OB/GYN, and a fertility clinic.
.
Turns out they do not offer that kind of planning.
Decades ago, it actually used to be what it says it is. It offered birth control, low cost exams, reproductive consultations, and some sexual health treatments.
I used their services in my college days to avoid becoming a father before I was ready. Or catch something.
That was before there was money to be made off dead babies. Then it became an abortion mill with a soft name.
The first three words can stand alone, the rest of it is superfluous.
Why only one year? What sense does that make?
If they do not want children, spade the female instead of killing them when they a months old.