De-Fund Planned Parenthood – Shut Down the Government?

The ire on the right with Republican leadership in Washington is palpable.  Promises have been made, expectations raised and disappointment results, fueling the Tea Party in 2010 and Trump in 2015.

 

Obamacare has not been repealed nor has the federal budget been reigned in, despite GOP control of Congress.  The sense prevails that when Obama verbally digs in his heels, the GOP caves in.  The irony is noted that the President’s threats are ignored by foreign leaders as merely words (e.g., meaningless “red lines”) but heeded by his domestic foes.  Where is the will to fight, Senator Cruz and other staunch conservatives ask?

Now, the disputes on Capitol Hill among Republicans may merely be over tactics and not principle.  But, politically, perceptions are important.

Take the looming battle over continuing federal funding for pro-abortion Planned Parenthood.  The House, pursuant to its Constitutional authority to originate a budget (Article 1, Section 7), has submitted to the Senate a complete expenditure plan which does not include money for Planned Parenthood.  To pass under current rules, proponents must have sixty votes to cut off a filibuster.  And even if the budget clears that hurdle, it faces a presidential veto which could be overridden only by a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate.  Most unlikely.

 

The practical conservative might say that’s a tactical battle not worth fighting.  It’s a loser.  Yet the same conservative might also say (I’m among them) sometimes it’s important to try even while recognizing the likely outcome to be unfavorable. 

That is an important political reality.  Effective leadership is practical but also must be able to inspire others to follow.  Many Republicans – mostly conservatives – doubt the resolve of GOP leaders.  Their past recognition of tactical realities (for instance, Obama will veto so why waste the effort) have been perceived as ideological weakness.  Leadership won’t battle for what they claim to believe in… so maybe we shouldn’t believe in them. 

Supporters who lose faith in their leaders don’t show up to vote.  (It’s a little known fact that many conservatives sat out the last election rather than vote for Romney.)

Senate Republicans need to force the fight.  Consider amending the rules affecting the debate cloture on the budget.  Let fifty-one votes suffice.  Remember how the Democrats crammed Obamacare down our throats?  Counter the Democrats’ cry that de-funding Planned Parenthood will deprive the organization of the half billion dollars it provides to non-abortion health related services by providing an identical expenditure to organizations that provide women’s health services without also providing abortions. 

If the President vetoes the budget and Congress does not override, make clear the consequences:  the government will run out of money.  That is on the Democrats, not the GOP.  The reality is that the government shut-down will be on Obama because he thinks that money for abortions is more important than America’s welfare.

Of course the liberal media will attempt to place the blame on Republicans as they have done so successfully in the past when there has been a budgetary impasse over principle.  However, we don’t have to let them get away with that canard this time.  We have ample resources ourselves to shape the public’s perception:  Fox TV, radio talk show hosts and paid media (issue advertising).  Use it.