Republican senate leadership has blocked an attempt by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) to defund Planned Parenthood.

My amendment would end funding to Planned Parenthood, but it is being blocked by… Republicans. pic.twitter.com/7pSE5OgOlV — Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) August 23, 2018

Senator Paul was attempting to add an amendment to the appropriations bill funding the departments of Labor and Health and Human Services, to stop Planned Parenthood from receiving federal funding.

There are a limited number of amendments that can be added to a bill, so to fill up space, GOP leadership inserted a useless amendment that would change funding in a program by $1.

“One of the top priorities for a Republican Congress that professes pro-life values on the campaign trail should be to stop taxpayer funding for abortion providers,” Senator Paul said in a statement. “This is our chance to turn our words into action, stand up for the sanctity of life, and speak out for the most innocent among us that have no voice.”

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The March for Life issued a statement thanking Senator Paul for his efforts.

“March for Life is grateful to Senator Paul and to those who voted in favor of an amendment to the appropriations bill that would have banned funding to abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, our nation’s largest abortion provider and subject of Department of Justice investigation into the trafficking of aborted baby body parts. Unfortunately, many Senators who claim to be pro-life defied their constituents and the consensus of the American public by giving the abortion industry a pass. Almost two-thirds of Americans say they do not want to fund abortion with their tax dollars. Disentangling American taxpayers from the abortion industry is long overdue. Our elected representatives should join the national consensus and put an end to taxpayer funding of abortion, or risk being voted out of office,” March for Life President Jeanne Mancini said.

Senator Rand Paul later said following his speech on the Senate floor calling out the Republicans blocking his amendment, the Senate agreed to hold a vote on his proposal.

Following my speech calling out those blocking my amendment, the Senate is now holding a vote on my proposal. — Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) August 23, 2018

The Senate voted down the proposal in a 45-48 vote.

“While I am disappointed in the outcome of this vote, I will never apologize for standing up for life. If it took exposing the preference of so many in my own party to continue reckless spending over protecting the innocent, it was a fight worth having,” Rand Paul.