The Senate has passed a controversial new amendment.

Republicans in the Senate just passed an amendment, which demonstrates their opposition to Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and transgendered Iowans who want to use Medicaid for gender reassignment surgery. That amendment was voted on this morning. The details of the amendment prevent Planned Parenthood, the nation’s biggest abortion provider, and other abortion providers from applying for two federal grants that would be used for sexual education in schools.

Many republicans feel that the government shouldn’t be footing the bill for procedures that aren’t crucial to one’s health needs. Many abortion proponents and transgender people came to the state house this morning to express their rejection towards the amendment that they feel infringes upon their personal rights. Representatives of Planned Parenthood spoke out saying that the bill violated their rights and access to essential healthcare. On the flip side, supporters of the amendment feel that elective abortion and gender reassignment surgery are not considered be essential aspects of healthcare.

The next step is for the amendment to go to the Republican-controlled house, where supporters of it say that it is likely to pass. Ultimately, this amendment will add to the $1.9 million in budget cuts to the Department of Human Services.