Washington D.C., Sep 11, 2019 / 09:15 am
Senate Democrats acted Tuesday to block changes to the Federal Title X family planning program, drawing condemnation from Republicans and pro-life leaders as a violation of a previous budget agreement between President Trump and congressional leaders.
Senate Democrats inserted an amendment to block implementation of changes to the Title X program for the 2020 fiscal year into an appropriations bill Sept. 10; the bill would fund the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Education, Labor, and other agencies.
In July, Trump and congressional leaders agreed that no "poison pill" riders would be inserted into spending bills for the next two years, including any amendments trying to undo the administration's existing pro-life policies.
Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee responded to Tuesday's action by canceling a scheduled vote on the bill, prompting questions about the likely passage of the appropriations legislation just weeks before the end of the fiscal year.