WASHINGTON — Vice President Pence cast a tie-breaking Senate vote Thursday to pass legislation that will allow states to withhold federal funds from Planned Parenthood and other health care providers that perform abortions.
The measure, which now goes to President Trump for his signature, dismisses an Obama-era rule banning states from denying federal funds to such organizations.
Pence’s vote was needed to break a 50-50 tie.
Republicans have said the Obama rule should be overturned to allow states the right to steer funds away from abortion providers, if they choose.
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said the measure reverses a rule that “attempted to empower federal bureaucrats in Washington and silence our states.”
Democrats condemned the measure throughout the day, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, calling it “another example of the Republican war on women.”
“It would let states treat women as second class citizens who don’t deserve the same access to health care as men,” he said.
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