The U.S. Senate on Monday rejected a measure to defund Planned Parenthood in a 53-46 vote, “likely punting the issue into the fall debate over preventing a government shutdown,” says The Hill.

Sixty votes were needed to move the legislation, “which was fast-tracked to the floor after the release of undercover videos that show Planned Parenthood officials discussing fetal tissue from abortions.”

Sens. Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz of Hawaii joined most Democrats in opposing the measure.

The U.S. Capitol.

Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Planned Parenthood issued a press release following the vote that included statements from the senators.

From Hirono:

“Planned Parenthood provides critical health care services to millions of women across our country, including thousands in Hawaii. For many women, especially low income women, survivors of domestic and sexual assault, young women, and others, Planned Parenthood is their primary health care provider — who they go to for cancer screenings, birth control, and other essential health care services. The Republican fearmongering and desperate efforts to defund Planned Parenthood are an attack on women’s health. I will stand vigilant against these attempts to set women’s health care back decades.”

From Schatz:

“From family planning to cancer screenings, Planned Parenthood’s full range of health care services have been vital for millions of women across the country. Yet again, we are seeing extreme attacks on Planned Parenthood and women’s health. While these kinds of attacks on women’s health are not new, they’re a reminder of how we must constantly work to defend a woman’s right to choose. In the Senate, I will continue to fight against any effort to defund Planned Parenthood and deny women access to critical health care services.”