Senators Press for Answers from HHS on Planned Parenthood Oversight

Statement

Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee wrote Monday to the department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Sylvia Burwell, demanding answers to the department's enforcement and oversight policies and procedures governing the research, transfer and sale of human fetal tissue. This letter is in response to a previous request made by the committees to HHS Assistant Secretary for Legislation Jim Esquea, to which they received inadequate responses.

Chairman Johnson said, "It is our duty to protect life, including our most vulnerable. Shocking videos have revealed that Planned Parenthood, as an organization, is vested in the barbaric practice of harvesting human organs for revenue. All Americans, regardless of their views on abortion, should be repulsed by the callous and cavalier attitude of Planned Parenthood representatives as they discuss their harvesting "techniques," as well as the revenue they require for the organs of unborn babies. Our committees will continue to demand answers about what Planned Parenthood has done with taxpayer funds."

Chairman Grassley said, "The department's insufficient response does not help Congress with its constitutional duty of oversight. The committees need information to adequately assess if the department has ever undertaken any independent efforts to ensure that the laws are being followed, rather than just relying on the word of the entities involved."

Senator Ernst said, "Over the last several months, numerous videos have showcased Planned Parenthood's blatant disregard for human life and raised a number of moral, legal, and policy questions. My colleagues and I are demanding answers, and our questions to HHS simply cannot be ignored. Form letters that side-step our questions are not acceptable. I will continue to urge HHS to comply with all current and future investigations into this matter, and remain steadfast in my commitment to protect the most vulnerable."

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