Democrats: Subpoenas In Fetal Tissue Investigation Pose ‘Grave Risk’ To Researchers’ Safety
The House lawmakers say Republicans are trying to create a database of people involved with fetal tissue research that could endanger abortion doctors and patients. In other Capitol Hill news, House lawyers update their lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act following the president's budget release.
The Hill:
Democrats Protest Subpoenas In Planned Parenthood Investigation
Democrats are urging the GOP-led House committee investigating Planned Parenthood to halt a round of subpoenas that they argue will endanger abortion doctors and patients. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), who leads the House’s select committee, plans to issue three subpoenas this week in an effort to collect information about fetal tissue research in the U.S. – something that Democrats say will turn into a national database used for political purposes. (Ferris, 2/16)
CQ Roll Call:
House Members Use Obama Budget To Bolster Health Care Lawsuit
A House lawsuit against the Obama administration over the 2010 health care law shook loose new ammunition in the president’s fiscal 2017 budget request, according to a filing Tuesday: an updated dollar figure for Treasury payments that lawmakers consider unconstitutional. The filing is the latest development in a contentious battle for power in the appropriations process, where the House is demanding that the courts enforce the separation of powers by curbing what they see as an overreach of the executive branch. (Mejdrich, 2/16)