Speaker John Boehner ordered an investigation into Planned Parenthood Wednesday following the release of a now-viral video by pro-life group Center for Medical Progress.
The video depicts chief medical officer Dr. Deborah Nucatola of Planned Parenthood eating a salad while, in graphic detail, explained to an undercover reporter how to abort a baby intact so his or her body parts can be sold to a biomedical company.
Boehner, according to Politico, urged the Obama administration “to denounce, and stop, these gruesome practices,” in a statement issued by his office.
“When an organization monetizes an unborn child – and with the cavalier attitude portrayed in this horrific video – we must all act,” he said.
Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said in a statement, “I speak for all my colleagues when I say I was deeply disturbed by the records and video of an organization engaging in such grotesque and inhumane practices.”
Several House committees will begin probes into Planned Parenthood. According to The Hill, Rep. Fred Upton, the House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman, said, “The first step is seeking information,” adding that he will send a letter to Planned Parenthood as early as Thursday.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte also announced that his committee would be looking into the claims made by the Center for Medical Progress.
Upton said he knows of no Democrats in support of his planned investigation, but he hopes some will come forward.
“I’ve got to believe that anyone – hearing the story last night, seeing the stories this morning, front page of The Post – it’s pretty appalling,” he said.
The Hill reports, however, that several House Democrats are supporting Planned Parenthood.
Though pro-abortion Rep. Jan Schakowsky said she had not watched the video, she remarked, “Planned Parenthood is actually allowed, is my understanding, for scientific research, to use fetal tissue and that is not illegal. Having talked to the leadership at Planned Parenthood, this was a sting operation.”
Schakowsky said she would seek an investigation, instead, into the Center for Medical Progress, which she referred to as “a phony company.”
Pro-abortion Rep. Barbara Lee also refuted any attacks against Planned Parenthood, though she said she had not seen the video, either.
“They’ve been attacking Planned Parenthood for years,” she said. “They’ve been calling for investigations for years, and they surface videos and they come on the attack … and I think it’s outrageous.”
Rep. Rosa De Lauro, who claims to be a Catholic but is also a member of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, said she had not heard of the video and could not comment.
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