House approves rules for FY 2011 spending bill, healthcare defunding

The House on Wednesday approved a rule for legislation that would fund the government for the rest of fiscal 2011 by a 241-179 vote. Only five Democrats voted with Republicans: Reps. Dan Boren (Okla.), Jim Costa (Calif.), Joe Donnelly (Ind.), Dutch Ruppersberger (Md.), and Heath Shuler (N.C.).

Several Democrats encouraged members to reject both the rule and the underlying spending bill, H.R. 1473,  because of the cuts it makes but also because the rule calls for votes to defund the healthcare law and end federal funding of Planned Parenthood.

The House is expected to debate and vote on the spending bill and the two healthcare amendments on Thursday.

Members also approved a rule allowing consideration of H.R. 1217, which would eliminate the Prevention and Public Health Fund created by last year's healthcare law.

The rule was approved in a 237-180 vote, and just four Democrats supported it: Reps. Boren, Mike McIntyre (NC), Collin Peterson (Minn.), and Shuler.

The fund is meant to offer grants to state and local preventive health programs, but Republicans argued during the debate on the rule that the fund could be used to pay for elective abortions.

After the votes, the House proceeded to debate H.R. 1217 at about 3:20 p.m.

-- This post was updated at 3:32 p.m.