NIH Gets Big Boost In Spending Bill As Senate Swats Down Measure To Defund Planned Parenthood

With a 85-7 vote on a measure that includes funding for health agencies, the Senate has now passed nine of the 12 mandatory spending bills for the budget year that begins Oct. 1. The package now goes to the House for a vote. Meanwhile, an attempt by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) to strip Planned Parenthood of funds was easily blocked.

The Associated Press: Senate Backs $854B Bill To Fund Health, Education, Military

The Senate approved an $854 billion measure Thursday that funds much of the government, including $675 billion for the Defense Department. The bill combines military spending with disbursements for Health and Human Services, Education, Labor and other agencies. The bill was approved, 85-7, and now heads to the House. (8/23)

Politico: Senate Passes Giant Spending Package In Hopes Of Averting Shutdown

HHS would see a $2.3 billion boost, including a 5.4 percent increase for the National Institutes of Health. Education programs would get a $541 million boost, while the Labor Department’s budget would remain flat. The two bills represent the eighth and ninth spending measures the Senate has passed this summer, likely the last of 12 to clear the chamber ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline. The rest, including the bill that would fund Trump’s border wall, are expected to be funded on autopilot under a continuing resolution through the midterms and into Congress’ lame-duck session. (Ferris, 8/23)

The Washington Post: Senate Easily Defeats Measure To Defund Planned Parenthood

The Senate easily defeated an attempt by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Thursday to strip money from Planned Parenthood, with Democrats holding together unanimously despite the prospect of election-year attacks from Republicans over the issue. Those attacks arrived mere moments after the vote closed, with the National Republican Senate Committee blasting out releases attacking Sens. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) for opposing Paul’s measure. The three are among the most endangered Democrats in the Senate. (Werner, 8/23)

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