Hoyer: I Urge House Republicans to Disband Select Committee to Attack Women’s Health

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement calling on House Republicans to disband their Select Committee to Attack Women’s Health, following Chair Blackburn’s decision to put providers and patients in Maryland in danger:

“The latest actions of Rep. Marsha Blackburn and her House Republican colleagues on the select committee to attack women’s health are both reprehensible and dangerous.  Not only have they issued subpoenas to a reproductive health care practitioner working in Maryland and to several Maryland health care and public safety organizations, but they have also released the names of physicians and staff along with allegations that could be interpreted as an incitement to commit violence. 

“We all saw what happened in 2009 when extreme rhetoric against reproductive care practitioners led to the heinous murder of Dr. George Tiller in Kansas.  We must not allow the level of vitriol to be brought to Maryland or to rise again to the point where sick individuals are inspired to criminal acts targeting those providing health care services to which women have a legal and constitutional right.  Those practicing medicine in Maryland and every other state and territory should not have to live in fear. 

“This is just the latest in a longstanding witch-hunt by House Republicans against patients and against doctors, hospitals, researchers, first responders, and other care providers in addition to their relentless insistence on enacting policies that put women’s lives and health in danger.  I urge Rep. Blackburn and her Republican colleagues to withdraw their subpoenas, disband a committee that has found no wrongdoing by Planned Parenthood or any other health care provider after a months-long investigation, and issue an apology to those named in their statement and whose safety has now been put at risk.”