For the first time in several years, Republicans in Congress aren't talking about shutting down government over defunding Obamacare. That's because they want a
shutdown over defunding Planned Parenthood.
What started out as a push from socially conservative firebrands like Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and 18 House members on Wednesday, is spreading to include more centrist members of the Senate GOP. On Thursday, Arizona Republican John McCain, who often tacks to the middle in the Senate, not only backed a plan to link Planned Parenthood defunding with spending legislation, he suggested the move was inevitable.
"It could invite a fight, but I think most Americans do not believe that their tax dollars should be used to fund the kind of grotesque procedures we’ve seen authenticated," said McCain, who is trying to box out any primary challenge. "I would vote for a spending bill that defunded it, and that's the way it's going to be … it's pretty obvious."
By they way, McCain
supported federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, so this must just be him being all mavericky again. Meanwhile, the two most marginalized members of their respective conferences—Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)—have cooked up a
bipartisan compromise that would continue the funding but call for investigations. But since neither of the two has any sway with their leadership, don't expect that to gain much traction.
All the traction is behind a confrontation leading to a shutdown, though some are in denial about its effects: "People are going to try to weave this as a war on women. Nothing could be further from the truth," says Sen. Thom Tillis. Right. That'll sell with American women.
For their part, Democrats are ready. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has basically dared Republicans to do it, and is ready to but the blame squarely on them. It will be, he said "just like the shutdown over ACA. It's clear that Republicans are saying shut down the government unless I get my way on an extraneous issue. And the American people are wise to that. […] It's all on their shoulders." Sen. Harry Reid was more succinct in a tweet: "To Republicans who are trying to defund Planned Parenthood: Good luck with that."