Newt Gingrich Joins Pastors to Stop Planned Parenthood Funding

Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich is spearheading an eleventh-hour campaign to try to stop the federal funding of Planned Parenthood.

Gingrich has joined Christian groups and key conservative pastors in a bid to push the House to overturn President Barack Obama's veto of legislation that would have defunded the group, The Washington Times reports.

But Gingrich, who sought the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, admits "it won't be easy" to unite two-thirds of the House for the override when a vote is held on Capitol Hill on Jan. 26.

Gingrich said he'll speak with a group of pastors by phone on Friday to discuss the "urgent matter of protecting unborn life."

Also participating in the call will be Rep. Trent Franks of Arizona and Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma.

Last week, Obama, as expected, vetoed legislation that would have repealed the Affordable Care Act and stripped funding for Planned Parenthood.

House Speaker Paul Ryan has vowed to take "this process all the way to the end under the Constitution."

Federal funding for Planned Parenthood has been under fire by conservatives since the release of undercover videos by the Center for Medical Progress purportedly showing top officials discussing the sale of fetal body parts.

Related Stories:

• Planned Parenthood Sues Ohio in Dispute Over Fetal Tissue
• Ohio AG Seeks to Stop Planned Parenthood's Fetal Disposal Practices