WASHINGTON, D.C., November 4, 2015 (LifeSiteNews) – Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards has told new House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-WI, that “it is increasingly difficult to understand the basis for the ongoing investigations into Planned Parenthood.”
In a letter, Richards wrote that her organization has “fully cooperated with the committees that have contacted us. The original rationale for investigating Planned Parenthood – allegations related to fetal tissue donation practices – has resulted in no evidence of wrongdoing.”
She also claimed that an alleged leak of undercover videos, presentation of a chart she deemed misleading at an Oversight & Government Reform Committee hearing, and other goings-on “raise concerns about the impartiality and integrity of their investigations” being conducted by Congress.
While federal and state investigations have not uncovered illegal abortions or illegal profits from fetal harvesting – in October, Planned Parenthood said it was giving up any reimbursement for fetal parts – they have uncovered tens of millions in state-level fraud and violations of rape reporting laws.
Additionally, Planned Parenthood saw a profit of $127 million in 2014 – more than twice the amount of funding it received in the same year for Title X contraceptive and abortifacient funds.
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Ryan said on Sunday that the House would continue to investigate Planned Parenthood, though he downplayed the potential of defunding the abortion giant.
“I think being an effective opposition party means being honest with people upfront about what it is we can and cannot achieve,” Ryan stated.
“We have a Senate that has a very difficult process when it comes to actually getting bills voted on,” he said. “I don't think Planned Parenthood should get a red cent from the taxpayer.” The pro-life Ryan said that “I've always believed that, even before these disgusting videos came out.”
Instead, he intends for Congress to push its “oversight” functions by investigating allegations of multiple felonies captured in undercover videos from the Center for Medical Progress.
“We also have to push issues where we can push issues. We have to speak truth to power,” he said.
“The special committee on Planned Parenthood, I think, should be in the driver's seat overseeing this process.”
But Ryan held out the possibility that congressmen may be able to add defunding amendments to legislation in a less “tightly” controlled House.
Richards's letter came even as Planned Parenthood of Colorado refused to appear before a hearing on the sale of aborted babies' body parts scheduled for next Monday by the Republican Study Committee of Colorado.