GOP on tightrope with Planned Parenthood

Senate Republicans are treading a narrow path as they seek to defund Planned Parenthood through passage of a healthcare bill.

Cutting off federal funds because of the abortion services provided by the organization is a goal of most congressional Republicans and the Trump administration.

And with majorities in the House and Senate and control of the White House, the goal seems within reach after years of the party being thwarted by Senate Democrats and former President Barack ObamaBarack Hussein ObamaThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - What now after Zelensky's speech? Senate panel advances Biden Fed nominees to confirmation votes Best way to tackle inflation: Confirm Biden's Fed nominations MORE.

The problem is that Sens. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsSenate panel advances Biden Fed nominees to confirmation votes The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - All eyes on Zelensky today On The Money — Raskin bows out after bipartisan blowback MORE (R-Maine) and Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiSenate panel advances Biden Fed nominees to confirmation votes Biden signs reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - All eyes on Zelensky today MORE (R-Alaska) both may oppose a healthcare bill that cuts off funding to Planned Parenthood.

Republicans would then have to keep on board every other member of the GOP conference, with Vice President Pence breaking a 50-50 tie in the Senate.

GOP leaders acknowledge the tough situation.

“The goal is, of course, to get 50 senators and the vice president, so we’ll try to figure out how we make that happen,” Sen. John ThuneJohn Randolph ThuneGOP pushes to add Russian oil ban into trade bill The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - What now after Zelensky's speech? Capito to make Senate GOP leadership bid MORE (S.D.), the No. 3 Senate Republican, told The Hill.

“I think that’s going to be the challenge: How do we put together and assemble 50 Republicans plus the vice president to get something across the finish line?” said Thune, who expects the Senate will keep House language defunding Planned Parenthood.

Republicans are using special budgetary rules to prevent Democrats from filibustering the healthcare bill, making it the perfect vehicle to pass legislation defunding Planned Parenthood.

Sen. Dick DurbinDick DurbinZelensky lights new fire under Congress — with limits Senate passes resolution supporting Putin war crime probe Lawmakers back Biden on potential economic penalties for China  MORE (Ill.), the No. 2 Senate Democrat, acknowledged on Tuesday that if the GOP is able to use reconciliation, his caucus won’t have the votes to stop them.

“If it’s reconciliation and they have 51 Republicans, then it’s the end of the story,” he told The Hill.

The real question is whether the GOP can afford to lose Collins and Murkowski.

Collins said she doesn’t understand why the two issues are even being linked. Murkowski has said that she does not believe Planned Parenthood should be part of the healthcare debate. 

In 2015, the two senators offered an amendment on an ObamaCare replacement bill striking language cutting off Planned Parenthood’s federal funding. Their effort failed and Collins voted against the bill, though Murkowski supported it.

Collins said she would offer a similar amendment to the Senate’s bill if it defunds Planned Parenthood. She demurred, however, when pressed if she would ultimately vote against the ObamaCare replacement bill if her effort fails.

“There are many issues that are going to be involved in this bill that I care about; that is one of them, but there are many others,” she said.

Neither Collins nor Murkowski is part of the healthcare working group convened by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellGOP talking point could turn to Biden's 'underwhelming' Russia response The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - What now after Zelensky's speech? Capito to make Senate GOP leadership bid MORE (R-Ky.), which met again on Tuesday. Both Collins and Senate GOP leadership have downplayed their exclusion.

Forcing a fight over Planned Parenthood would also put a focus on Sen. Dean HellerDean Arthur HellerSeven most vulnerable governors facing reelection in 2022 Nevada becomes early Senate battleground Nevada governor Sisolak injured in car accident, released from hospital MORE (R-Nev.), who is up for reelection in 2018 in a state won by Democratic presidential nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonOvernight Defense & National Security — Presented by AM General — Prepping for Zelensky's big speech White House scoffs at Russian sanctions Hillary Clinton thanks Russia for 'Lifetime Achievement Award' of sanctions MORE in 2016.

Heller sparked criticism from both conservatives and liberals after he said at a recent town hall that he has “no problem” with federal funding for Planned Parenthood and would “protect” it.

A spokeswoman walked back Heller’s statement, noting he does not support funding for organizations that provide abortions. A 1976 statute known as the Hyde Amendment bars federal funds from covering abortions and has been included in annual appropriations bills.

A survey from the left-leaning Public Policy Polling found 59 percent of voters in 13 GOP-held districts won by Clinton oppose defunding Planned Parenthood, compared with 35 percent who support it.

Conservatives are pressing to take care of defunding Planned Parenthood, though Sen. Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzHawley says sentences in 10 child porn cases raise red flags on Supreme Court pick Graham invokes McCain in latest call to take out Putin The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Russia-Ukraine, US-China hold talks but yield little MORE (R-Texas) acknowledged the legislation has to be able to “command the support of 50 senators.”

Cruz and GOP Sens. Mike LeeMichael (Mike) Shumway LeeSenate averts shutdown, passes .6B in Ukraine aid Senate gets deal for quick vote on funding, Ukraine aid GOP demands delay vote on spending, Ukraine aid MORE (Utah) and Rand PaulRandal (Rand) Howard PaulSenate passes resolution supporting Putin war crime probe Senate votes to nix mask mandate for public transportation Overnight Health Care — White House steps up COVID money warnings MORE (Ky.) teamed up with members of the House Freedom Caucus earlier this year to demand “full repeal” of ObamaCare.

The Senate bill is not likely to alter as much of ObamaCare as the bill approved by the House or the 2015 bill.

Paul has publicly fretted that the Senate’s parliamentarian could cut what he thinks made the House legislation palatable.

“If all the good stuff is lost and we’re left with just a subsidy bill ... I’m not real excited about that,” he told reporters last week.

Sen. John CornynJohn CornynGOP talking point could turn to Biden's 'underwhelming' Russia response Capito to make Senate GOP leadership bid Graham to meet with Biden's Supreme Court pick Tuesday MORE (R-Texas) said he supports using healthcare reform to defund Planned Parenthood but hedged when pressed if it would be in the Senate’s final product.

“You know, I can’t tell you everything,” he said when asked if the Senate bill would defund the organization. “That’s been consistent, but we need 51 votes.”