U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) has objected to Select Investigative Panel Chair Marsha Blackburn's (R-TN) tactics in issuing subpoenas rather than following the normal procedure of sending a letter request first.
She indicated that sending subpoenas is a threatening gesture toward entities that are willing to cooperate with the investigation that was instigated by abortion foes.
“Once again, Chair Blackburn is using congressional authority to pursue baseless, inflammatory claims generated by anti-abortion extremists," Schakowsky said. "Not one of the entities contacted by the panel has expressed concern about ‘letting all the facts come out.’ Their -- and the Democrats’ -- concern is the safety of their researchers, students, doctors and clinic personnel. Chair Blackburn has refused to explain why she needs a database of names. It is time for this witch hunt to come to an end.”
The Select Investigative Panel was formed in October in response to videos filmed by The Center for Medical Progress. The anti-abortion group claimed that the heavily edited videos proved that Planned Parenthood was selling tissue from aborted fetuses. The panel is a subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives.
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