On Thursday night the U.S. Senate defeated an amendment by Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) which would have “prohibit[ed] the provision of funds to grantees who perform abortions.” Unfortunately, this amendment failed by a vote of 41 to 52 (vote results here).
The Hyde Amendment, passed by Congress in 1976, forbids federal funding for abortion except in cases of rape, incest, and danger to the life of the woman. However organizations like Planned Parenthood often accept federal dollars and claim to use the funds for activities not related to abortions. This amendment would have broadened current law and prevented any money from going to organizations that perform abortions (except hospitals).
This was an important pro-life amendment and Sen. Vitter deserves our thanks for proposing it.