Senate passes budget repealing Obamacare, Planned Parenthood funding

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- The Senate narrowly passed a budget bill to repeal core provisions of the Affordable Care Act and strip funding from Planned Parenthood for one year, approving legislation that is sure to be vetoed.

The legislation passed 52 to 47 and needs to be approved by the House before being sent to the White House, where President Obama has already vowed to veto it. Republicans hailed the bill as a political message and a fulfillment of promises to force Obama to veto his landmark healthcare reform law.

Democrats were unable to block the measure, brought to the floor under budget reconciliation rules that prevent a filibuster.

"For too long, Democrats did everything to prevent Congress from passing the type of legislation necessary to help these Americans who are hurting," Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, said. "Today, that ends."