VP Pence Casts Tie-Breaking Vote, Allows States to Defund Planned Parenthood
Vice President Mike Pence returned to the Senate Thursday afternoon — the second time in one day — to cast a tie-breaking vote on legislation to undo an Obama-era regulation on funding for abortion providers.
Pence cast the deciding 51st vote in favor of nixing the rule, after the legislation stalled in a 50-50 tie.
Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) sided with Democrats to vote against repealing the Obama-era rule, prompting the need for the vice president to break the tie.
The vote marks the third time Pence has had to break a tie since becoming vice president.
Republicans are using the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to roll back some Obama-era regulations with a simple majority vote.
Democrats spent hours on the Senate floor ahead of Thursday’s final vote, blasting Republicans and warning that the move would negatively impact women’s access to healthcare.