Congress Could Hear From Planned Parenthood on Eve of Shutdown Deadline

Congress could finally hear directly from Planned Parenthood's leader next week after months of controversy—on the day before it confronts a potential government shutdown spurred by conservatives demanding an end to the group's federal funding.

The timing of the possible Sept. 29 hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has Democrats crying foul, accusing Republicans in a Monday letter of "using this issue to force a government shutdown unless [House Speaker John A. Boehner] bows to their demands."

"[W]e do not believe our Committee should be dragged into an internal Republican political battle that has been churning for years," wrote the Democratic members of the panel, led by ranking member Elijah Cummings (Md.).