Nashville, TN (LifeNews.com) -- A Tennessee Senate committee passed a bill Wednesday that would allow state family planning funds to be diverted away from Planned Parenthood affiliates in Tennessee. Pro-life advocates are pressing for the bill to make it so taxpayers aren't forced to fund the abortion business.

The Senate Health and Welfare committee approved Senate Bill 3049 on a unanimous 7-0 vote and now the legislation heads to the full Senate where intense debate and opposition from pro-abortion senators is expected.

Both Republicans and Democrats supported the bill and two pro-abortion Democrats were not present for the vote.

Under the measure, priority for tax funding would be given first to local health departments, teaching hospitals or other non-profit organizations that do not do abortions.

Tennessee Right to Life representative Ed Albin applauded the vote and told LifeNews.com that taxpayers shouldn't be forced to fund the "state's leading promoter and provider of abortion."

Albin thanked pro-life state Senator Ray Finney for sponsoring the bill.

He said the pro-life members on the committee "devoted political capital today to defending the unborn, abortion-vulnerable women and Tennessee's taxpayers."

Related web sites:
Tennessee Right to Life - http://www.tnrtl.org