Report: Pence backs defunding Planned Parenthood in ObamaCare repeal

Vice President Pence reportedly supports language defunding Planned Parenthood in the new GOP healthcare legislation, despite signals from some centrist Republicans that it could endanger their support.

Pence, a longtime foe of abortion, plans to meet Friday with various anti-abortion rights groups at the White House amid the rollout of the Republican effort to repeal and replace ObamaCare.

Senior administration officials told CBS News the former Indiana governor has made it clear he wants the American Health Care Act (AHCA) to include defunding Planned Parenthood.

{mosads}While GOP leaders have struggled to lock down conservative support for the AHCA in the House over its handling of Medicaid and tax credits, Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) have previously indicated similar bills could face trouble in the Senate for targeting the abortion and women’s healthcare provider.

President Trump has repeatedly described himself as pro-life, but he lacks the legislative track record on the issue that Pence has. Both have been meeting with Republican lawmakers throughout the week, seeking to shore up support for the AHCA.