Blumenthal: Planned Parenthood Investigation a 'Witch Hunt'

A probe into women's health organization  and its handling of federal funds has become something of a lightning rod of late.

Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.), backed by House Republicans, made a request earlier this month for a substantial investigation into the federally-funded organization, which has a nearby location in Stamford. Stearns, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, wrote in a letter that "the Committee has questions about the policies in place and actions undertaken by PPFA and its affiliates relating to its use of federal funding and its compliance with federal restrictions on the funding of abortion," according to the Atlantic.

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal responded in turn on Wednesday, condemning the request as a Republican attack.

"This abusive witch hunt by Republicans is an unconscionable waste of taxpayer dollars, and harassment of a trusted healthcare provider for millions of women and families in Connecticut and across the country," Blumenthal said in a release. "At a time when countless women are out of work and rely on Planned Parenthood more than ever for essential health care, this invasive and baseless investigation is all the more reprehensible, and will only distract from providing health services."

The release also pointed out that the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee's request would be in addition to "regular audits by the Department of Health and Human Services and state Medicaid programs" that are already conducted.

Huffington Post columnist Laura Bassett reports that Democrats consider the investigation "an abuse of government resources."

Planned Parenthood has several local branches in addition to Stamford, including centers in Danbury, Bridgeport and Shelton.

Do you feel the investigation is appropriate or unnecessary?