Twenty-eight House Republicans now say they will oppose any legislation to fund the government that also continues to fund Planned Parenthood, according to an updated tally released on Tuesday by conservative group Heritage Action for America.
That’s the maximum number of Republicans that GOP leaders can lose in a vote without help from Democrats.
Ten more people have signed onto the letter, spearheaded by Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), since it was initially sent to leadership in July.
An aide to Mulvaney said Tuesday that the letter will close later this week to give lawmakers an opportunity to sign it after returning to Capitol Hill from the August recess.
“We must act to fully defund Planned Parenthood. Please know that we cannot and will not support any funding resolution – an appropriations bill, an omnibus package, a continuing resolution, or otherwise – that contains any funding for Planned Parenthood, including mandatory funding streams,” the letter says.
The latest lawmakers to sign the letter include Republican Reps. Ted Yoho
Theodore (Ted) Scott YohoOcasio-Cortez after Yoho confrontation: 'I won't be so nice next time' Overnight Defense: US, India to share satellite data | Allegations of racism at Virginia Military Institute | Navy IDs 2 killed in Alabama plane crash AOC: Speech to 'expose' Yoho part of effort to break 'chain of abuse' MORE (Fla.), Jody Hice (Ga.), David Rouzer (N.C.), Dave Brat (Va.), Mark Meadows (N.C.), Scott DesJarlais (Tenn.), Mark Walker (N.C.), Brian Babin (Texas), David Schweikert
David SchweikertEmbattled Schweikert beats back Democratic challenge in Arizona 10 bellwether House races to watch on election night Energized by polls, House Democrats push deeper into GOP territory MORE (Ariz.) and Trent Kelly (Miss.), according to Heritage Action’s tally.
The letter was originally signed by GOP Reps. Mick Mulvaney (S.C.), Jim Jordan (Ohio), John Fleming
John Calvin FlemingTrump wants Congress to delay Census deadlines amid pandemic Meadows sets up coronavirus hotline for members of Congress The Hill's Morning Report - Iran strikes US bases in Iraq; Trump to speak today MORE (La.), Raúl Labrador (Idaho), Matt Salmon
Matthew (Matt) James SalmonCOVID-19's class divide creates new political risks Arizona voters like Kyl but few think he'll stick around Former Sen. Jon Kyl to replace McCain in Senate MORE (Ariz.), Tim Huelskamp (Kan.), Jeff Duncan (S.C.), Thomas Massie (Ky.), Trey Gowdy
Harold (Trey) Watson GowdySunday shows preview: Joe Biden wins the 2020 election Sunday shows preview: Election integrity dominates as Nov. 3 nears Tim Scott invokes Breonna Taylor, George Floyd in Trump convention speech MORE (S.C.), Walter Jones (N.C.), Curt Clawson (Fla.), Jim Bridenstine
James (Jim) Frederick BridenstineNASA's International Space Station is about to become a film location The case for NASA'S Bridenstine post-Election Day For sale: The Moon MORE (Okla.), Keith Rothfus (Pa.), Randy Weber
Randall (Randy) Keith WeberHouse rebuffs GOP lawmaker's effort to remove references to Democrats in Capitol Hillicon Valley: Judge's ruling creates fresh hurdle for TikTok | House passes bills to secure energy sector against cyberattacks | Biden campaign urges Facebook to remove Trump posts spreading 'falsehoods' House passes bills to secure energy sector against cyberattacks MORE (Texas), Scott Perry (Pa.), Steve Pearce (N.M.), Trent Franks
Harold (Trent) Trent FranksArizona New Members 2019 Cook shifts 8 House races toward Dems Freedom Caucus members see openings in leadership MORE (Ariz.) and Louie Gohmert
Louis (Louie) Buller GohmertPelosi announces COVID-19 testing expansion for House Georgia Republican Drew Ferguson tests positive for COVID-19 Michigan Republican isolating after positive coronavirus test MORE (Texas).
While the number of signatures has grown over the August recess, it’s a very small number compared to the 80 House Republicans that signed onto a letter in 2013 pushing GOP leaders to defund ObamaCare. That led to a 16-day government shutdown that October.
House Speaker John Boehner
John Andrew BoehnerDemocrats seek wave to bolster House majority Bottom line Pelosi and Trump go a full year without speaking MORE (R-Ohio) has so far called for congressional investigations into Planned Parenthood and has not said how he would address funding for the organization. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSunday shows - Biden win reverberates Buttigieg: McConnell will have to decide if he'll stand in the way of health care, tax plans This election wasn't a zero-sum game, and it's going to be messy MORE (R-Ky.) suggested in an interview last week that it would have to wait for a new president.
Rep. Diane Black
Diane Lynn BlackBottom line Overnight Health Care: Anti-abortion Democrats take heat from party | More states sue Purdue over opioid epidemic | 1 in 4 in poll say high costs led them to skip medical care Lamar Alexander's exit marks end of an era in evolving Tennessee MORE (R-Tenn.) has a stand-alone bill that would defund the organization and her spokesman said she has secured a “commitment” from House GOP leadership for her measure to come to a floor vote in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Sen. Ted Cruz
Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzThe Memo: Trump lost but is not vanquished Republicans can – and must – ensure a peaceful transfer of power Sunday shows preview: Joe Biden wins the 2020 election MORE (R-Texas) is circulating a letter similar to Mulvaney’s in the Senate. An aide to Cruz said Tuesday that the letter will be finalized in the next few weeks.
Congress must pass legislation to keep the government funded through Oct. 1.
