House Republicans are using a subpoena to obtain more footage targeting Planned Parenthood.
A federal court in California is preventing the Center for Medical Progress from releasing videos it obtained at meetings held by the National Abortion Federation. Led by anti-abortion investigator David Daleiden, the center has released more than 12 hours of footage featuring top Planned Parenthood officials discussing the provision of aborted fetal tissue for medical research.
On Tuesday, House Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, stepped in on behalf of Daleiden, giving his group a subpoena ordering him to send the committee all unedited video footage in his possession. The oversight committee is one of several congressional panels investigating Planned Parenthood’s involvement in fetal tissue donations.
“This subpoena is a demand for transparency,” Chaffetz said. “The action of the court will not thwart or impede Congress’ constitutional duty and right to conduct effective oversight.”
Chaffetz added that his committee will continue investigating the federal funding that Planned Parenthood receives and intends to hold a hearing on the topic later this month.
On Monday, Daleiden’s group asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit to overturn a lower court decision blocking it from releasing undercover videos involving the National Abortion Federation. The footage is part of a series of videos highlighting how some Planned Parenthood clinics provide aborted fetal tissue for medical research, in an attempt to show the women’s health and abortion provider is involved with illegal activity or ethical breaches.
