WASHINGTON, D.C., March 9, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In a 44-56 vote, the U.S. Senate has voted against a budget bill crafted by House Republicans that would have eliminated federal funding of Planned Parenthood.

The Democrat-led Senate also failed to pass its own budget bill, which contained much fewer spending cuts and maintained the abortion giant’s funding.

The vote marks the first stage of what promises to be a drawn-out battle between two opposite visions for the 2011 fiscal year, as well as between pro-life and pro-abortion forces fiercely gunning for or against the amendment de-funding Planned Parenthood.

President Obama has promised to veto the House version as it stands.

Developing ...