Democrats cried foul as a subcommittee chairman asked for piles of information on how the organization keeps its abortion funds separate

House Republicans have opened a sweeping investigation into Planned Parenthood, requesting reams of financial information and details on how the women's health organization keeps federal funds separate from abortion services.

House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Chairman Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) sent Planned Parenthood a six-page letter earlier this month detailing the committee's request. House Republicans have repeatedly tried to strip Planned Parenthood of federal funding because it provides abortions, even though federal funds are not used for those services.

"The Committee has questions about the policies in place and actions undertaken by PPFA and its affiliates relating to its use of federal funding and its compliance with federal restrictions on the funding of abortion," the letter said.

House Democrats pushed back with a letter of their own on Tuesday, accusing Republicans of requesting an avalanche of documents for purely political reasons.