California Assembly OKs $90M bill for Planned Parenthood

(The Center Square) – The California Assembly on Monday afternoon approved $90 million in funding for Planned Parenthood. The contentious debate on the Assembly floor highlighted the rift between the Democratic majority and the conservative Republican caucus before the funding bill passed, along party lines, with 55 "ayes" and 10 "no" votes. The budget bill now goes to the Senate for a vote. “This bill would backfill $90 million in federal funding that has been stripped away from community clinics that offer abortion services,” Assembly Budget Committee chair Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, said on the floor during the debate. “Under such circumstances, California cannot and will not stand idly by. Despite our budget challenges, we must step up to defend Planned Parenthood, to defend reproductive freedom.” Senate Bill 106, the Planned Parenthood funding resolution, was the result of talks between Planned Parenthood and California lawmakers, according to state officials who testified during a