Midday Roundup: Planned Parenthood funds survive spending vote

Staying open. A stopgap spending bill that should avert a government shutdown sailed through the Senate today. The 78-20 vote was a victory for top GOP leaders determined to avoid a government shutdown. The House is slated to approve the measure this afternoon, with votes from Democrats balancing out opposition from pro-life Republicans who wanted to use the bill to defund Planned Parenthood. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, would not accept the urging of pro-life lawmakers to take such a hard stand against the abortion giant. Criticism directed at Boehner over the Planned Parenthood issue helped prod him to announce last week he will resign at the end of October. An election for a new speaker is scheduled for Oct. 8.

Put to death. Early today, Georgia executed the only woman on its death row, making her the first woman put to death by the state in seven decades. Kelly Renee Gissendaner, who has three children, was found guilty and sentenced to death for persuading her boyfriend, Gregory Owen, to kill her then-husband, Douglas Gissendaner, in 1997. Gissendaner, 47, converted to Christianity in prison and experienced what people close to her called a dramatic spiritual transformation. Just before her execution, Gissendaner sobbed and she said she loved her children and apologized to Douglas Gissendaner’s family, saying she hopes they can find some peace and happiness. As the lethal drugs were administered, Gissender sang “Amazing Grace.”

All God’s creatures. The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention released a statement calling for responsible and caring treatment of animals. The statement calls on evangelical Christians to confront animal cruelty and to work for the preservation and protection of creation while “prioritizing human needs.” “The Bible is clear that our being created in the image of God does not lessen our responsibility to steward the physical world well, but heightens it,” ERLC president Russell Moore said. The statement is available online for visitors to sign electronically as part of an animal welfare campaign called “Every Living Thing.”

Storm surge. Meteorologists have their eyes on the newly formed Hurricane Joaquin, which is positioned near the Bahamas and headed toward the East Coast. Joaquin could make landfall in North Carolina early next week, though a lot can change before then. Some parts of the Bahamas could get a foot of rainfall as the Category 1 storm passes. It is expected to grow stronger after that.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.