Michael Collins

USA TODAY

WASHINGTON – House Republicans have doubled the budget for a special panel investigating the medical procedures and business practices of abortion providers.

Over the objection of Democrats, the House Committee on Administration voted Wednesday to approve an additional $800,000 for the Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives. The money is in addition to the panel’s previously approved $790,000 budget and puts it on track to spend more than $1.5 million by the end of the year.

The 14-member panel, led by Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., was formed last year after a firestorm over undercover videos that accused Planned Parenthood of breaking federal laws by selling tissues and organs of aborted fetuses. Planned Parenthood has denied the allegations, and Democrats have accused the panel of unfairly targeting abortion providers and putting women and doctors at risk.

“Instead of providing more funding for this divisive and dangerous witch hunt, Congress should shut down this panel and put an end to its shameful proceedings,” said Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, the panel’s top Democrat.

The panel’s final report is due by the end of the year.