Democratic Senator Says He Will Join Republicans in Voting for Bill to Defund Planned Parenthood

WASHINGTON (AP) -- West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin says he will back a Republican bill cutting off federal aid for Planned Parenthood.

West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin (AP Photo/Jeff Gentner)

Manchin is a moderate and his decision Monday was not a complete surprise. Even so, Republicans were still expected to lose a Senate vote later Monday to halt federal assistance to the group.

Republicans introduced their bill after an anti-abortion group began releasing secretly recorded videos showing Planned Parenthood officials describing how they provide tissue from some aborted fetuses to researchers. The bill says it would transfer Planned Parenthood's aid to other women's health care providers.

Manchin said in a statement that until questions about Planned Parenthood are answered, the organization should not receive taxpayer funds.

Planned Parenthood provides contraception, sexual disease treatment, abortion and other services across the country.