House approves rules for FY 2011 spending bill, healthcare defunding

The House is expected to debate and vote on the spending bill and the two healthcare amendments on Thursday.

Members also approved a rule allowing consideration of H.R. 1217, which would eliminate the Prevention and Public Health Fund created by last year’s healthcare law.

The rule was approved in a 237-180 vote, and just four Democrats supported it: Reps. Boren, Mike McIntyre (NC), Collin Peterson (Minn.), and Shuler.

The fund is meant to offer grants to state and local preventive health programs, but Republicans argued during the debate on the rule that the fund could be used to pay for elective abortions.

After the votes, the House proceeded to debate H.R. 1217 at about 3:20 p.m.

— This post was updated at 3:32 p.m.