WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today voted in favor of legislation he helped introduce to defund Planned Parenthood. The bill was introduced following the release of gruesome footage showcasing Planned Parenthood’s role in the harvesting of the organs of unborn babies.

The Senate failed to reach cloture on the measure in a 53 to 46 vote Monday afternoon.

“It is extremely disappointing that the Senate has failed to protect life, protect women’s health, and allowed these disgusting practices to continue while taxpayers foot the bill,” Roberts said following the vote. “I will continue to fight to make sure that Planned Parenthood receives no federal funding. Every life is a precious gift that we have a responsibility to protect.”

The legislation, S. 1881, prohibits federal funding of Planned Parenthood or any of its affiliate organizations. It ensures the preservation of federal funding for women’s health services including relevant diagnostic laboratory and radiology services, well-child care, prenatal and postpartum care, immunization, family planning services including contraception, sexually transmitted disease testing, cervical and breast cancer. It also ensures there is no reduction in overall funding available to support women’s health.

In addition to this legislation, Roberts recently sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, requesting the agency review Planned Parenthood’s compliance with federal laws regulating both the use of fetal tissue and partial birth abortions. He is also a cosponsor of the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act (S. 51), that prohibits federal family planning assistance funds from being allocated to an entity unless they can certify that they will not perform or promote abortions.

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