Speaker of the House John Boehner on Wednesday called for congressional hearings into the practices of Planned Parenthood — and one House committee confirmed it will investigate the organization.
The video showed a top Planned Parenthood doctor admitting clinics routinely sell body parts after abortions.
“When an organization monetizes an unborn child — and with the cavalier attitude portrayed in this horrific video — we must all act,” Boehner said.
“As a start, I have asked our relevant committees to look into this matter,” the Ohio Republican added. “I am also calling on President Obama and Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell to denounce, and stop, these gruesome practices.”
The Republican leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee announced Wednesday that they have started investigating Planned Parenthood in light of the video, pointing out that the “sale of fetal body parts for profit is illegal.”
“This video is abhorrent and rips at the heart,” the Republican leaders of the committee said in a statement. “The committee will get to the bottom of this appalling situation.”
Planned Parenthood has defended itself by saying fetal body parts are just being used for science. (RELATED: Democratic Candidates Silent On Alleged Planned Parenthood Felonies)
“In health care, patients sometimes want to donate tissue to scientific research that can help lead to medical breakthroughs, such as treatments and cures for serious diseases,” said Planned Parenthood spokesman Eric Ferrero. “Women at Planned Parenthood who have abortions are no different.”