Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said over the weekend that he supports an abortion committee led by Tennessee Congressman Marsha Blackburn. His announcement responds to a move by Democrats to disband the committee, which has been investigating abortion practices.
Democrats already know how Marsha Blackburn feels. The Brentwood Republican defends the legality of her panel’s investigation, specifically the 36 subpoenas to retrieve information from doctors and researchers.
“Given the ability to subpoena and because we are working on a short time frame, it is necessary to get the information that is required for the committee to do its work. So we are working within the framework of the law and within the framework of the rules of the House,” Blackburn said.
Blackburn’s committee was formed in response to videos released by anti-abortion activists that depicted the selling of fetal tissue. The activists were later indicted for fraud and illegal recording, but the investigation has continued anyway.
The House Democrats also accused the committee of endangering doctors and abortion clinics by publicly disclosing their information. Their letter criticized Blackburn’s “inflammatory language,” linking some key phrases to violence at Planned Parenthood clinics.
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