Posted on 09/17/2015 2:34:35 PM PDT by VinL
Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) is pressing Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to reveal his “strategy for success” as he risks a government shutdown in an attempt to defund Planned Parenthood.
In a letter to Cruz on Thursday, Ayotte demanded to know why the firebrand Texas senator – and presidential candidate – is so strongly pushing legislation that the party can't pass.
“It is abundantly clear that we lack the votes in the Senate to redirect these funds [from Planned Parenthood,” Ayotte, one of four female Republicans in the Senate, wrote in the letter.
Ayotte makes clear that she opposes a government shutdown – ”particularly when it appears there is no chance of achieving a successful result.”
Two years after Cruz took a stand that resulted in a government shutdown, Ayotte said she is again asking him to reveal his hand about what he hopes to achieve.
“[I] would appreciate you sharing your strategy for success with all of us before any damaging government shutdown becomes imminent,” she wrote in the letter, which was first obtained by the New Hampshire news station WMUR.
Dozens of Republicans in Congress have promised to defund Planned Parenthood at all costs in the wake of this summer’s controversy over fetal tissue donations. But GOP leaders have maintained that they are strongly opposed to any effort linking them to a dysfunctional government.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has strongly condemned Cruz’s efforts, which he warned would cause chaos in the chamber. Similarly, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has told members in private meetings this week that the GOP would take the blame for any fallout.
Thanks for the input on cloture. I didn’t know that. And you are right about the fear of a shutdown. But I think it is worth the risk.
Of course it is worth the risk. Obama would have to defend the baby butches and in political advertising and television stations can not censor the content. The Republicans can show the content of the videos in ads on national TV in prime time or during news time.
It is very hard to defend these videos once seen. Even for people who are pro-abortion it is bracing.
They are simply cowards!
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