DeGette Rejects Select Panel Majority Claims of Minority Obstruction

Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO) rejected claims by Select Panel Chairman Marsha Blackburn that Democrats are obstructing the Panel’s “investigation."

“It appears that the Select Panel majority is suffering from a complete disconnect from the truth,” DeGette said. “These false accusations against Democrats are merely a smokescreen meant to distract from the truth that the Panel has uncovered no evidence of wrongdoing and the countless improprieties employed by Republicans in their so-called investigation from the start.”

Members of the Republican majority have incurred a long list of unethical and disingenuous practices during the course of their investigation, including withholding documents and information, refusing to include Democrats in discussions held with outside entities, continuing to rely on the fraudulent and thoroughly discredited videos created by David Daleiden, and most notably, endangering health care providers and researchers by deliberately releasing their names and contact information.

Select Panel Democrats have called out the majority many times for their repeated violations and increasingly reckless practices, culminating in a letter signed by 181 House Democrats demanding that Speaker Ryan disband the panel. Although he refused even to meet with Democrats to discuss our concerns, on June 24, Speaker Ryan sent a letter confirming his trust in Chairman Blackburn and support for the panel in completing its work.