House forms special panel to probe Planned Parenthood

WASHINGTON – The Republican-led House has voted to create a special panel to investigate Planned Parenthood and its procurement of fetal tissue for research.

Wednesday's near party-line vote was 242-184. The roll call underscored how the GOP is pressing an issue that has galvanized conservatives.

Republicans say the committee is needed to examine whether Planned Parenthood is breaking laws or misusing taxpayer money.

Democrats call the effort a witch hunt motivated by politics.

They compare it to the Benghazi committee, which Republicans created to probe the 2012 attack that killed four Americans in Libya. Democrats maintain it is aimed at undermining Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton, who was secretary of state at the time.

Four congressional committees are already investigating Planned Parenthood, which has said it's done nothing illegal.