WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today voted in favor of a spending measure that would fund the federal government until December 11. The legislation would have also redirected federal dollars from Planned Parenthood to community health centers and women’s health programs. The bill required 60 votes to move forward to a final vote but was blocked by Senate Democrats.

“Under Sen. Cochran’s leadership, the Senate Appropriations Committee has passed all 12 spending bills this year,” Wicker said. “That has not been accomplished in the Senate since 2009. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats, despite their overwhelming support of these spending measures in the committee, have blocked us from sending these bills to the President’s desk. They have left us with little choice but to try to pass a short-term continuing resolution to keep the government open and working for the American people.

“I strongly support the provision in the bill to defund Planned Parenthood, and I remain committed to fighting for the rights of the unborn and shielding taxpayers from funding this organization. I share the feelings of many Mississippians who have called and written in to my office to express their disgust with the lack of compassion shown by Planned Parenthood executives as well as the gruesome practices they carry out. Although the measure was blocked by Senate Democrats, this debate is far from over.”

Senator Wicker was among a group of 49 Senators who signed a letter in July to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell seeking an internal review of Planned Parenthood’s compliance with laws and regulations related to fetal tissue and partial-birth abortions.

Senator Wicker has a pro-life A-rating from the Federal National Right to Life Scorecard.  He is also a lead author of S. 582, the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act,” which he introduced with Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., in February 2015. The measure would enact a permanent, government-wide prohibition of taxpayer funding for abortion.