Senate leader: Not enough votes to defund Planned Parenthood

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate's top Republican is conceding that his party will have to await the next president before it can cut off federal funds that go to Planned Parenthood, prompting heated rebuffs from conservatives.

"Senate leadership first told us we needed the majority before we could act on conservative principles," said Phil Novack, spokesman for Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, a presidential candidate who this summer accused McConnell of lying.

The GOP effort to block Planned Parenthood's funds was triggered by videos, secretly recorded by anti-abortion activists, showing the organization's officials discussing their provision of tissue from aborted fetuses to researchers.

"The real question is can McConnell convince the rest of Congress to not hold the federal government hostage as a few politicians try to score cheap political points by cutting health care for millions," said Dawn Laguens, executive vice president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the group's political arm.