BREAKING: Senate overturns Obama rule forcing states to fund Planned Parenthood

UPDATE: 4:31PM ET – The Senate has passed H.J. Res. 43. After hours of debate on the resolution, it passed 51-50, with Vice President Mike Pence again casting the tie-breaking vote. During debate, Democrats reportedly gave a “desperate defense” of Planned Parenthood, who stands to lose millions in taxpayer funds as multiple states have already voted to defund the abortion giant.

Today, the U.S. Senate held a vote to advance H.J. Res. 43, a resolution that overturns the Obama rule forcing states to fund Planned Parenthood. The former president’s rule prohibited states from redirecting taxpayer funds from the abortion giant to more competent and comprehensive health care providers, effectively eliminating the right of states to protect their citizens from the corruption, Medicaid fraud, and human rights abuses exposed at Planned Parenthood.

The resolution was sponsored by Congresswoman Diane Black in the House and Senator Joni Ernst in the Senate. Black and Ernst called Obama’s parting gift to Planned Parenthood an “11th hour rule to entrench federal funding for Planned Parenthood – the nation’s single largest provider of abortion.” The duo pledged to “continue to work together this year to undo the damage done by the Obama administration.”

The vote held this morning was to advance H.J. Res. 43 to a final passage vote. Senators Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, voted against advancement, in step with the Democrats, including Senators Joe Donnelly, D-Indiana, and Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, who claim to be pro-life. Due to the 50-50 tie, Vice President Mike Pence came to the Senate to cast the deciding vote. He voted in favor, and the motion to advance passed, 51-50.

The vote for final passage is expected to take place this afternoon.