McConnell to fast-track bill to defund Planned Parenthood

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell

Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell We don't need platinum to solve the debt ceiling crisis The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Alibaba - Democrats argue price before policy amid scramble House passes standalone bill to provide B for Israel's Iron Dome MORE started a fast-track process Friday on legislation to strip Planned Parenthood of federal funding in the wake of two controversial videos showing officials discussing delivery of fetal parts.

Speaking from the Senate floor, the Republican leader began "Rule 14," which will let the legislation skip the committee process and be placed on the Senate calendar so it can be brought up for a vote.

The move comes after Sen. Ted Cruz

Rafael (Ted) Edward Cruz FBI investigating alleged assault on Fort Bliss soldier at Afghan refugee camp The Memo: Biden's immigration problems reach crescendo in Del Rio Matthew McConaughey on potential political run: 'I'm measuring it' MORE (R-Texas) slammed McConnell during a blistering floor speech earlier Friday, suggesting the Kentucky Republican wanted to dodge a vote on defunding Planned Parenthood.

"There are a host of amendments that the American people are focused on, things like defunding Planned Parenthood after the gruesome video,” Cruz said. “The majority leader doesn't want to vote on that. That's actually something the American people are focused on."

Cruz and Sen. Rand Paul

Randal (Rand) Howard Paul GOP political operatives indicted over illegal campaign contribution from Russian national in 2016 White House debates vaccines for air travel Senate lawmakers let frustration show with Blinken MORE (R-Ky.), both of whom are running for president in 2016, as well as Sen. Mike Lee

Michael (Mike) Shumway Lee Hillicon Valley — Presented by Xerox — Officials want action on cyberattacks Senate panel advances antitrust bill that eyes Google, Facebook Trump pushes back on book claims, says he spent 'virtually no time' discussing election with Lee, Graham MORE (R-Utah), were hoping to use the the Senate's long-term highway bill as their vehicle to defund the agency.

McConnell appeared to dash those hopes Friday morning when he used the procedural tactic known as "filling the tree," a move meant to block further amendment votes.

A spokesman for Lee told The Hill at the time that a Planned Parenthood amendment would not be considered germane — blocking it from being attached to the highway bill.

Paul's presidential campaign quickly claimed credit for the legislation skipping over the committee process, suggesting the 2016 contender was actually behind the fast-track process that McConnell teed up on the Senate floor.

"Sen. Paul started the fast-track process, Senate Majority Leader McConnell read it on the floor," a campaign staffer said in an email to The Hill.

Separately, Paul said in a statement sent out by his campaign that "since the inhumane acts of Planned Parenthood have surfaced, I have vowed to defeat and defund this taxpayer-funded organization. ... Today, I implemented Rule 14 and fast-tracked legislation to strip every dollar of Planned Parenthood funding."

A spokesperson for McConnell — pointing to a transcript of Friday's floor proceedings — said that "the Leader started the Rule 14 process on the floor which makes the bill available for consideration."

The organization is back in Republican crosshairs after two videos were recently released showing Planned Parenthood officials talking about the preservation of fetal tissue and the cost of saving and distributing the tissue.

The Department of Justice said earlier this week that it's reviewing the two videos, and information surrounding them, to decide what steps, if any, need to be taken.

Meanwhile, 50 senators, including Joe Manchin