Palmer takes on Planned Parenthood chief in heated congressional hearing

(Video Above: Alabama Congressman Gary Palmer questions Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL6) questioned Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards during a heated hearing by the House Oversight Committee into the abortion provider’s receipt and use of federal appropriations in light of the recent videos depicting the dismemberment and sale of aborted baby body parts.

The videos have called again into question the propriety of using taxpayer funds to support the organization when a majority of Americans disagree both with most abortions and what the undercover operation revealed.

Planned Parenthood supports 59 affiliates operating 667 clinics, most of which provide abortions. In 2014 the group reported approximately $1.3 billion in total revenue, $528.4 million, or 41 percent, of which is attributed government reimbursements for federal programs such as Medicaid.

For the last reported year, Planned Parenthood’s revenues exceeded its expenses by more than $120 million.

Throughout the hearing Richards proved skillful at appearing cooperative while giving few actual substantive answers; delivering perfunctory responses and referring questioners to documents to be provided later, essentially cutting their inquiries short.

Throughout the 5-hour long testimony Richards was alternately grilled by Republican members and praised by Democrats for her leadership of the organization.

During his 5-minute allotment to ask questions, Rep. Palmer focused on the potentially inappropriate shuffling of taxpayer funds between Planned Parenthood, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the group’s affiliated “political arm,” and their Political Action Committee which supports almost exclusive Democratic candidates.

“Planned Parenthood Action engages in political activity, is that correct?” Palmer asked.

“The Planned Parenthood Action Fund, which is a separate corporation, does,” Richards responded, affirming that she is compensated by both the Action Fund and Planned Parenthood.

After establishing that Richards is paid by all three Planned Parenthood organizations, Palmer began criticizing the level at which an organization that receives such a large portion of its funding from taxpayers compensates its executives.

“You’ve got these high paid executives,” Palmer began. “Interestingly enough, 44 of your highest paid executives make more than most cabinet members, 28 of them make more than any member of the cabinet… Another 11 make over $300,000, that’s more than anybody in the cabinet, any Supreme Court justice, the chief justice, the Vice President. You’ve got four that make more than the president, not counting you.”

Republican members of Congress, including Rep. Palmer and Oversight Committee chairman Jason Chaffetz stated many times that the money currently going to an organization with such high overhead costs would be better spent at the more than 20,000 health care clinics across the country or on cancer research.

“Planned Parenthood claims to be dedicated to women’s health, but they are also a well-funded and powerful political operation,” said Rep. Palmer after the committee hearing. “Planned Parenthood’s political arm spends a significant amount of its time and money helping to elect candidates who they know will keep sending taxpayers money to them. While supposedly nonpartisan, Planned Parenthood’s political action committee (PAC) is in fact almost totally partisan. Its most recent report indicates that Planned Parenthood’s PAC gave 100% of the money to Democratic candidates in 2014, 99% in 2012 and 98% in the 2010 election cycle.

“Considering that Planned Parenthood has received billions of dollars from the federal government, there should be a much closer examination of their political activities, as well as a closer examination a Planned Parenthood’s exorbitant spending,” he continued.

Tuesday’s hearing occurred in the midst of several ongoing battles in Congress, including an upcoming vote on funding the federal government through a “Continuing Resolution” which would send millions to Planned Parenthood, and another vote on increasing the debt ceiling.

Some conservatives, including presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz have seized the opportunity to try to force the federal government into ending funding for Planned Parenthood. Republican leadership, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and outbound House Speaker John Boehner, however, fears their party will bear the brunt of blame for a government shutdown.