House Republicans have begun an investigation into Planned Parenthood’s use of federal funds, questioning whether the national network of abortion providers has proper checks in place to prevent violations of federal law.

Democrats and Planned Parenthood itself have blasted the investigation as a partisan move designed not only to score political points but also to curtail health care for women.

The investigation, announced by Rep. Cliff Stearns, chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s investigation subcommittee, in a letter earlier this month to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, asks for audits and other information about PPFA’s financing.

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(CNSNews.com) – A group of House Democrats -- asked directly if they support the use of federal (taxpayer) funds to pay for abortion -- said yes, they do.

At press conference on Wednesday, the Democrats also voiced their opposition to two Republican-sponsored bills that would prohibit federal funding of abortion.

CNSNews.com asked if any of the House members at the press conference supported the use of federal funds for abortion...

A spokeswoman for Americans United for Life says it's obvious the Obama administration wants to circumvent the law and make federal funds available for research that requires the killing of unborn babies.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will appeal a federal court decision halting -- at least temporarily -- use of federal tax dollars for research on human embryos. Mary Harned, staff attorney at Americans United for Life, says news of the appeal this week was not big news to them.

"President Obama expanded the availability of federal funds for researching human embryonic stem cells, and he expanded the ability for federal funds to be used for that type of research," says Harned. "So it doesn't surprise us that he would appeal an injunction by a federal judge preventing the use of federal funds for that purpose"...

WASHINGTON - More than 100 leaders of religious groups are urging Congress to reject legislation that would prohibit them from hiring only fellow believers if they accept federal funds.

Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, says taxpayers shouldn't fund religious charities that discriminate against nonbelievers in hiring.

But officials from Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish groups argue that while they serve people of any religion, it's the shared faith of their employees that motivates and defines their mission...