Planned Parenthood Defunded for One Year Under GOP Health Bill and More in Politics Today

It’s difficult to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in this country and to break through the clutter, so we’re here to make it easier. Here’s what we at Countable are reading today:

1. Planned Parenthood defunded for one year under GOP health bill

In passing their health-care bill, House Republicans have also taken a first step toward dramatically slashing federal funds for Planned Parenthood clinics.

The women’s health provider stands to lose about 30 percent of its funding under a provision in the GOP health-care bill to block it from getting Medicaid reimbursements for one year unless its hundreds of clinics stop offering abortions.

Read more at the Washington Post.

Read more about what’s next for the health care bill at Countable.

2. ACLU and others ready lawsuits on Trump's religious exemption order

Groups are gearing up to file legal challenges against President Trump's executive order that makes it easier for religious groups to participate in politics without risking their tax-exempt status.

The order, which Trump signed Thursday morning, is reportedly designed to ease enforcement of a provision in the federal tax code known as the Johnson Amendment, which bars religious institutions from endorsing or opposing political candidates and parties.

Read more at The Hill.

Read more about support and opposition around the new Executive Order at Countable.

3. Punishing sanctuary cities: Controversial Texas bill heads to governor's desk

The Texas Senate on Wednesday approved one of the toughest anti-sanctuary city bills in the country, sending it to the governor's desk.

Texas Senate Bill 4 would impose steep fines, even jail time, on Texas officials who fail to follow federal immigration laws. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a major supporter of the bill, has said he would sign it into law.

Read more at Fox News.

4. Republicans Get Their Health Bill. But It May Cost Them.

In voting to repeal President Barack Obama’s signature health care law, House Republicans finally delivered on a key Trump administration goal and on a campaign promise that they have made for the better part of a decade — but at a potentially steep price.

But by leaning on members to vote for a bill that many fear will take too much health care from too many people, Mr. Ryan has exposed moderate Republicans to withering political attack, especially in the roughly two dozen districts where Hillary Clinton prevailed, but also in places where the Affordable Care Act’s popularity has been increasing.

Read more at the New York Times.

5. VA Looks at Closing More Than 1,000 Underused Buildings

The Department of Veterans Affairs is considering shutting down more than a thousand vacant or underused buildings at VA facilities across the country, as part of a Trump administration streamlining initiative, the head of the department said Wednesday.

Dr. Shulkin told a House Appropriations Committee subpanel on veterans affairs...that the department could save some $25 million a year by closing targeted facilities.

Discussion of closing facilities is one of multiple changes Dr. Shulkin is undertaking at the department, he said. The VA has been in close contact with the White House’s innovation office, headed by President Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner, he said. The VA is at the top of the list of federal agencies slated for change.

Read more at the Wall Street Journal.

— Asha Sanaker

(Photo Credit: Wikimedia / Creative Commons)