Earnest said it was “only prudent to begin such planning,” and that it is a “process that we have unfortunately become all too familiar with.”
Money to pay for the operations of the federal government will end on Oct. 1 unless Congress passes a short-term funding measure. Conservatives want to defund Planned Parenthood, risking a shutdown, after the release of a series of controversial videos in which staff at the organization discussed fetal-tissue donations.
Any measure that defunds Planned Parenthood would face stiff opposition from the Democrats and even if it passes Congress, it would be vetoed by President Obama.
Earnest said that “senior members of the president’s team will not be leaving Washington any time soon in case they are required to help resolve the impasse.” But added “the final decision rests with Democrats and Republicans in Congress.”