Republicans May Force Shutdown Over Abortion

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said Republicans “should do everything they can” to eliminate federal money for Planned Parenthood — “even if it means a government shutdown fight this fall,” Politico reports.

In addition, 18 House Republicans told leadership that they “cannot and will not support any funding resolution … that contains any funding for Planned Parenthood.”

“It’s a potentially ominous sign for GOP leaders desperate to avoid another shutdown debacle. While Cruz may be radioactive in the Senate GOP conference after calling his leader a liar, his analysis of next week’s vote has merit: With Democrats vowing to block the measure, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) won’t be able to get the 60 votes he needs to advance the bill next week, a result that likely won’t satisfy a conservative base itching for confrontation over abortion.”