Planned Parenthood Calls on Speaker Paul Ryan to Officially Disband “Select Committee“ on Planned Parenthood
For Immediate Release: Jan. 28, 2016
Planned Parenthood Action Fund launches online petition
Washington, DC -- Planned Parenthood is calling on House Speaker Paul Ryan to officially disband the select committee investigating Planned Parenthood. The organization launched an online petition after a grand jury in Texas cleared Planned Parenthood of any wrongdoing and indicted on federal charges two individuals behind the heavily manipulated videos based on lies about Planned Parenthood health centers.
Last summer, it became clear that certain members of the Republican caucus knew ahead of time about the videos and tried to cover it up. While it remains unclear whether these members also knew that the maker of the videos, David Daleiden, and his criminal conspirators broke the law in order to spread lies and false information about the nonprofit health care provider, some members continue to be in contact with Daleiden, as evidenced by a recent meeting between felony indicted Daleiden and Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA-1).
Despite Republican leadership’s recent denials that the select committee has anything to do with Planned Parenthood, Speaker Ryan’s office has couched the committee under “House Investigation into Planned Parenthood” on the GOP main page and its committee members have labeled it as such.
Quote from Dawn Laguens, Vice President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund:
“It’s time for Speaker Ryan to throw in the towel on his losing campaign to attack Planned Parenthood. Instead, Ryan should take a hard look at the criminals who he’s letting dictate his party’s political agenda. If Speaker Ryan is serious about getting to the business of this country, he’ll disband this purely political committee immediately. This continued crusade against women’s health has very serious consequences — and will endanger the care that millions across the country rely on.”
"A grand jury and officials in 12 states have concluded investigations and confirmed that Planned Parenthood has done nothing wrong, and never ‘sold’ fetal tissue. The American people don't want a wasteful witch hunt — especially when essential health care for millions is at stake."
Members of the House of Representatives, lead by Leader Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) have also formally called on the Speaker to end the committee and have even raised serious privacy concerns about the committee’s actions.