Abortion giant to face congressional scrutiny

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Abortion giant to face congressional scrutiny
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow - 9/28/2011 9:45:00 AM
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Defa ... id=1446460


Planned Parenthood will face an investigation by a House committee over alleged abuses that have come to light as the result of undercover investigations by the pro-life groups Live Action and Life Dynamics over the past dozen years.

Congressman Cliff Stearns (R-Florida), head of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has called on the abortion giant to produce 13 years of records related to alleged abuses -- specifically "its use of federal funding and its compliance with federal restrictions on the funding of abortion." Planned Parenthood, in response, calls Stearns' investigation "politically motivated," "ideologically driven," and a "misuse of political power."

National Right to Life Committee executive director David O'Steen notes that Planned Parenthood receives several hundred million tax dollars each year.

"We've seen a pattern [that] as their funding increases, the number of abortions they provide are increasing," he shares. "And of course there have been allegations of other practices at their clinics that do warrant investigation. So I certainly think it's warranted."

O'Steen also points out that Planned Parenthood is a very political organization.

"They're a major supporter of pro-abortion Democratic candidates. They are very, very close to President Obama [and] a major supporter of his," he offers. "And again, that raises the question: hundreds of millions of dollars are going into this very political organization that's really part of the overall support network for the pro-abortion Democratic establishment."

In their undercover investigations, Life Dynamics and Live Action found what they consider to be firm evidence of illegal activities.

Lila Rose of Live Action tells OneNewsNow: "We have documented all kinds of abuse in the serial cover-up of the sexual abuse of minors, the willingness to aid and abet in trafficking, the willingness to perform rape-safe abortions, [and] the willingness to manipulate and coerce women into abortions, as well as many fraudulent and other dealings that the organization is involved with." (Listen to audio report)

Rose, whose group has been investigating Planned Parenthood for five years, says it is not only time for a thorough investigation, but also time to bring to justice those responsible for any crimes that have been committed.

"For Congress to take this step is a historic moment. It's also a necessary step that should have been taken long ago," she tells OneNewsNow. "But we're happy that they're taking it now because it's time for the American people to realize the truth about what's happening at their abortion giant that's being funded through federal and state dollars."

Live Action will be cooperating with the congressional panel in making available all of the evidence it has gathered through its undercover investigations.

Mark Crutcher of Life Dynamics launched the initial undercover investigation of Planned Parenthood over a decade ago, and then Live Action conducted an in-depth investigation. Both groups found, among other things, that the abortion giant provided abortions to underage girls -- in some cases helping them skirt around the law, and often without parental involvement.

"I'll tell you right now," says Crutcher, "if Planned Parenthood is indeed thoroughly investigated in all areas, this organization will not survive the investigation. I promise you, that's true. This is a corrupt entity -- it is involved in illegal activity."

Crutcher's investigation showed shocking results. "I said at the time and I continue to say, this is the largest criminal enterprise in American history -- and its victims are children," he maintains.

The pro-life spokesman believes a thorough probe will result in some Planned Parenthood workers "being hauled off in handcuffs and leg irons."

Some Capitol Hill Democrats are complaining that the investigation is too far-reaching because some of the House committee's requested records go back 20 years. Crutcher's response? "If Planned Parenthood does not want to be exposed to this sort of scrutiny, then they shouldn't be taking taxpayer money." He also argues that the committee must have the records to determine if there is a pattern of abuse.