Since last year’s release of undercover videos indicating possible involvement by Planned Parenthood officials in the sale of aborted fetal body parts, the House Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives, chaired by pro-life Rep. Marsha Blackburn, has been conducting investigations into the alleged fetal body parts market in the United States.
Despite opposition from pro-abortion politicians and the pro-abortion media, on Wednesday, the House Committee on Administration voted to more than double the Panel’s budget. USA Today reports:
Over the objection of Democrats, the House Committee on Administration voted Wednesday to approve an additional $800,000 for the Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives. The money is in addition to the panel’s previously approved $790,000 budget and puts it on track to spend more than $1.5 million by the end of the year.
Since the beginning of its investigations, the Panel has encountered resistance. Earlier this month, after the Panel requested relevant documents from notorious abortionist Warren Hern, “infamous as one of the few doctors in the nation who will abort a baby late into the third trimester,” Hern referred to the investigation as a “witch hunt.” Hern went so far as to claim he fears for his life under a pro-life government.
StemExpress, a fetal tissue procurement agency which has allegedly been linked to the fetal body parts market, also appeared to attempt to stonewall the Panel after receiving requests for relevant documents. In May, Blackburn sent a letter to StemExpress CEO Cate Dyer – who appeared in the Center for Medical Progress’ undercover videos discussing the procurement of “intact” aborted fetuses – urging StemExpress to cooperate with investigators.
As of now, the Panel is set to conclude investigations and release a final report by the end of the year. However, with the Panel’s budget now doubled, a pro-life Congress and president about to take office, and pro-lifers urging Speaker Paul Ryan to allow the Panel’s investigations to continue, it is possible that investigations could be extended into the next legislative season.
