Waxman, DeGette blast Commerce panel's 'intrusive' investigation of Planned Parenthood

Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee charged Tuesday that the panel’s Republican leaders are investigating Planned Parenthood for purely political reasons.

The Oversight subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) recently requested a series of records from Planned Parenthood. Stearns’s Sept. 15 letter to the organization asked for financial records, such as any reports of improper billing, while also asking what policies the clinics have in place for reporting suspected rape and sex trafficking.

Reps. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) criticized the investigation Tuesday in a letter to Stearns, noting that it follows legislative attempts to cut off federal funding to Planned Parenthood.

"It would be an abuse of the oversight process if you are now using the Committee’s investigative powers to harass Planned Parenthood again," they wrote. "Your fervent ideological opposition to Planned Parenthood does not justify launching this intrusive investigation."
 
They said the Health and Human Services Department audits Planned Parenthood regularly and has not identified any misuse of federal funds.

A spokeswoman for Energy and Commerce Republicans said the investigation is focused narrowly on ensuring that Planned Parenthood uses its federal funding appropriately.

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