DAVID CRARY, AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Though congressional Republicans’ bid to defund Planned Parenthood was vetoed by President Barack Obama, anti-abortion activists and politicians are achieving a growing portion of their goal with an aggressive state-by-state strategy.

Over the past year, more than a dozen states have sought to halt or reduce public funding for Planned Parenthood. Some of the efforts have been blocked by court action, but in other states the cutbacks are forcing Planned Parenthood to drop contraceptive services, health screenings and other programs serving thousands of low-income women.

Kansas legislators are moving to make permanent an annual budget policy that prevents the state from providing federal family planning dollars to Planned Parenthood.

The Kansas Senate has approved the bill on a 31-9 vote, sending the measure to the House.

The latest state joining the offensive was Florida; GOP Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill  that bars Planned Parenthood from accessing state funds.

Planned Parenthood is a national target because of its role as the largest U.S. abortion provider.