McCollum Again Offers Amendment to End GOP’s Planned Parenthood Witch Hunt

Congresswoman Betty McCollum today submitted an amendment to the Legislative Branch appropriations bill to prohibit funding for the Select Investigative Panel of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and end House Republicans’ witch hunt against health care providers — including Planned Parenthood — and scientific researchers.

“This partisan panel was established purely as a political weapon to target law-abiding scientific researchers and health care providers, including Planned Parenthood. It is a shameful waste of Congress’ time and taxpayers’ money,” Congresswoman McCollum said. “This Republican witch hunt has resorted to disgraceful tactics just to score political points with their far-right base. Not one more cent of taxpayer funding should be spent on this blatant abuse of power.”

Last month, the Washington Post condemned the panel’s “sordid proceedings” and noted that “it is abusing power at taxpayer expense.” And presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has praised Planned Parenthood, including saying, “Planned Parenthood has done very good work for many, many -- for millions of women."

Congresswoman McCollum’s amendment would strip funding for the Select Investigative Panel from the Legislative Branch appropriations bill, which is expected to be considered on the House Floor this week. Congresswoman McCollum offered a similar amendment during the House Appropriations Committee’s markup of the Legislative Branch appropriations bill. It earned bipartisan support, but was rejected on a 28-20 vote.