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 The Senate defeated Republican efforts to use a funding extension
bill to cut off money to Planned Parenthood, clearing the way for a
version without that provision that extends all previous funding
through Dec. 11.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has set the first
procedural vote on that measure for Monday, two days before the
federal fiscal year ends on Sept. 30.
House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, meanwhile, laid out
similar options in a closed-door meeting with Republican
conservatives, who oppose any spending bill allowing federal funds
to go to Planned Parenthood amid allegations that it improperly sold
tissue harvested from aborted fetuses.
The nonprofit women's healthcare group has denied any wrongdoing.
Lawmakers leaving the meeting declined to say whether Boehner would
defy their demands and hold a vote on a "clean" funding bill.
 House Republican leadership aides said that the Ohio congressman is
considering alternatives, including a separate Planned Parenthood
defunding bill using special procedures to ease passage through both
chambers of Congress. President Barack Obama would likely veto it.
While no final decisions were made, Representative Steve Scalise of
Louisiana, a member of the House Republican leadership, told
reporters: "We're going to keep attacking this (abortion) on many
fronts."
He said possibilities included bills for a moratorium on Planned
Parenthood funds and effectively banning late-term abortions. House
Republicans will discuss the plans again on Friday morning.
Before Thursday's Senate vote, the White House warned that Obama
would veto legislation to continue funding the government if it
strips away federal money for Planned Parenthood, setting up the
showdown with anti-abortion advocates.
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For weeks, many Republicans have vowed to punish the organization
following the release of secretly taped videos in which Planned
Parenthood officials discussed harvesting tissue from aborted
fetuses for medical research. The group receives over $500 million
in government funds annually for non-abortion activities.
Republican aides also said lawmakers were considering ramping up
congressional investigations of Planned Parenthood.
The effort to defund Planned Parenthood is also being waged in
states. On Thursday, the Republican-led Wisconsin Assembly approved
a bill banning the state from using federal family planning money
from going to Planned Parenthood and other organizations that
perform abortions.
The bill needs state Senate approval and Governor Scott Walker's
signature before becoming law.
(Reporting by Richard Cowan, Susan Cornwell, Susan Heavey and
Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee.; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Jonathan
Oatis)
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