Debate on a new bill that would suspend federal funding to Planned Parenthood for one year is expected this week while another congressional hearing takes place to review the organization's practices.
The bill by Rep. Diane Black (R-Tenn.) is the first concrete effort since the August recess to defund the organization that has come under scrutiny since an anti-abortion group released undercover, edited videos of employees discussing fetal tissue donation.
More than 40 Republicans, going against the wishes of GOP leadership, have said they will not agree to any budget legislation that does not defund Planned Parenthood. A budget agreement must be made by the end of the month.
The bill scheduled for debate Wednesday would put a moratorium on funding for one year to allow for investigation of the organization. It would be lifted if Planned Parenthood agreed to stop performing or paying for abortions.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing Thursday to discuss stricter enforcement and penalties for existing legislation that bans partial-birth abortion. This follows a four-hour hearing last week on Planned Parenthood methods, although nobody from the organization was invited to testify.
