Democratic Congresswoman Suzan DelBene was appointed Wednesday to a new House committee investigating the policies and practices of Planned Parenthood.
DelBene will be one of six Democrats on the select Energy and Commerce Committee created in early October by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
“I hope this will be a fair and honest investigation, rather than a venue for political theater,” DelBene said in a statement.
“So far, there has been no evidence of unlawful activity by Planned Parenthood, a healthcare provider that one-in-five women have used in her lifetime,” she said. “I will push for this Committee to focus on the facts, not an ideological war against women’s access to healthcare.”
Republicans on three House committees have investigated Planned Parenthood since theCenter for Medical Progress, an anti-abortion group, began posting online secretly recorded videos. Center officials insist the videos show Planned Parenthood makes money from the sale of tissue from aborted fetuses to researchers.
Planned Parenthood leaders deny the charges and contend the videos are doctored.
“This is about getting answers to questions about how we treat and protect life in this country,” said U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-TN, in a press release announcing the formation of the select committee. She is vice chairwoman of the Energy and Commerce Committee.
Blackburn said in October the panel would investigate a number of issues including medical procedures and business practices used by entities involved in fetal tissue procurement and federal support for abortion providers.
DelBene represents the 1st Congressional District which takes in parts of Snohomish, King, Skagit and Whatcom counties.
