White House: 'Grossly Irresponsible' to Shut Down Government Over Planned Parenthood Funding

White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Friday it would be “irrational” and “grossly irresponsible” to shut down the government over Planned Parenthood funding.

Earnest said that Planned Parenthood has apologized for some of what was depicted in the recent series of undercover videos, “which was appropriate,” he said.

“It is not appropriate for Republicans to try to deprive hundreds of thousands if not millions of Americans from receiving health care,” Earnest said.

In September, the House and Senate will either vote on a budget for the next fiscal year or for a continuing resolution to keep the government temporarily funded.

“The suggestion that the federal government should be shut down over Planned Parenthood funding is irrational,” Earnest later said.