Lacking the votes to defund Planned Parenthood, the House Oversight Committee on Friday penned a letter to the abortion provider requesting seven documents to be handed over by Aug. 28.
The Blaze reported that the letter, written by Reps. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), inquired about the recent undercover sting videos that purport to show Planned Parenthood engaging in the sale of aborted fetal parts.
“Recently released videos implicate Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its affiliates in potentially unlawful transactions involving fetal tissue. In the videos, Planned Parenthood representatives discuss the demand for certain body parts, the manner in which patient consent is solicited, pricing considerations, and the methods by which doctors manipulate procedures to ensure that tissues remain intact,” the letter read.
“The disturbing content of these videos raises questions as to whether federal funds are being used to finance the potentially illegal conduct described therein,” it continued.
While most of the requested information pertains to Planned Parenthood’s use of federal funding, item five asked the abortion mill to list the 50 highest-paid employees. Item six demanded a list of the “independently incorporated affiliates” that the abortion provider supports, in addition to contact information.
“What procedures, services, or other medical treatments are available only or exclusively at a Planned Parenthood affiliate or health center that are covered by either a state’s Medicaid program or a health plan sold via a state exchange or HealthCare.gov under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” is the final question the committee asked Planned Parenthood to detail.
They also asked the abortion mill to not include services that could otherwise be provided by a private healthcare provider.
A similar letter was sent to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Matthews Burwell by the House Oversight Committee.
“According to its 2013-14 Annual Report, Planned Parenthood received more than $500 million in government funding in the last fiscal last year alone, accounting for more than 40 percent of the organization’s total revenue,” the letter said. “The Department of Health and Human Services provided a significant portion of the federal funds that Planned Parenthood received. It is not clear whether Planned Parenthood used any federal funds to support transactions involving fetal tissue.”
The House Oversight Committee requested information about which agencies within HHS provide funding or support to abortion provider, as well as the total amount of federal funding given since 2010, what restrictions are used when applying the funding, and a list of services exclusively offered by Planned Parenthood.
