In-Depth: The Vice Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) believes:
“No issue is more deserving of our undivided attention than protecting
the dignity of human life. Over the past several weeks we have been
asking serious and, frankly, troubling questions about how infant lives
are being treated. What our investigation has shown us so far is we have
many more questions than we have answers. This select panel will devote
the time necessary to get the facts in this investigation and help
ensure that the most innocent lives among us are given the respect they
deserve as human babies.”
The House Energy and Commerce Committee has already been investigating Planned Parenthood’s abortion practices,
while the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and
Government Reform Committee have been conducting their own
investigations.
Of Note: While Planned Parenthood often finds itself in the news because of the abortion services they offer — abortions are just a fraction of what they do. From cancer screenings, to HIV tests, STI testing, to sex education, and family counseling, Planned Parenthood has a wide range of services.
In mid-July, 2015, undercover videos shot by the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) were released, claiming to show Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of the organs and tissue of aborted fetuses. CMP claims that the:
"criminal conspiracy to make money off of aborted baby parts reaches to the very highest levels of their organization. Elected officials must listen to the public outcry for Planned Parenthood to be held accountable to the law and for our tax dollars to stop underwriting this barbaric abortion business.”
These allegations are part of the root cause for bills like this one. Planned Parenthood has countered the claims, stating that tissue donations for scientific research do happen, but that reimbursements are only for their expenses. From CNN: "The group also says it helps people donate tissue "with full, appropriate consent from patients and under the highest ethical and legal standards," according to a statement from spokesman Eric Ferrero. Later, Ferrero issued another statement saying:
"These outrageous claims are flat-out untrue, but that doesn't matter to politicians with a longstanding political agenda to ban abortion and defund Planned Parenthood. Women and families who make the decision to donate fetal tissue for lifesaving scientific research should be honored, not attacked and demeaned."
Media:
Summary by Eric Revell
(Photo Credit: "Humanstemcell" by Ryddragyn at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons.. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons)
Abortion
Government
