Texas Attorney General launches investigation into Planned Parenthood

Photo courtesy Center for Medical Progress.

AUSTIN — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Wednesday, July 15 that his office has launched an investigation into Planned Parenthood following the publication of a video showing a Planned Parenthood Senior Director discussing the sale of baby body parts.

"The Office of the Attorney General has launched an official investigation into Planned Parenthood following the release of a video that details the organization’s calculated slaughter of human babies to maximize the available body parts they plan to sell," Paxton stated in a press release.

"The video offers a glimpse into an organization that knowingly and deliberately destroys human life to further its bottom line."

In a statement released Tuesday, July 14, Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated he directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to conduct an immediate investigation into Planned Parenthood.

"The video of a high-level Planned Parenthood executive discussing the details of internal abortion procedures – including harvesting of baby body parts – is unnerving and appalling. In light of the video, I have directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to conduct an immediate investigation of this alleged practice in addition to a separate investigation ordered by the Texas Office of the Attorney General," Abbott said.

Texas State Representative John Wray (R-Waxahachie) released a statement Thursday calling for further investigation into Planned Parenthood and said he supports Paxton's and Abbott's directives for investigations.

"The recent video showing Planned Parenthood's Senior Director of Medical Services explaining their so-called "donation" of aborted baby tissue is morally repugnant and demands further investigation into the legality of these operations," Wray said. "I support the Governor and the Attorney General in their calls for immediate investigations into these practices."

Click here to read more statements from Wray regarding the accusations against Planned Parenthood.

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement on Wednesday while calling on President Barack Obama to put an end to the practice of selling body parts of unborn children.

"Nothing is more precious than life, especially an unborn child. When anyone diminishes an unborn child, we are all hurt, irreversibly so. When an organization monetizes an unborn child – and with the cavalier attitude portrayed in this horrific video – we must all act. As a start, I have asked our relevant committees to look into this matter. I am also calling on President Obama and Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell to denounce, and stop, these gruesome practices."

The House Energy and Commerce Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives began an investigation on Wednesday.

"This video is abhorrent and rips at the heart. The committee will get to the bottom of this appalling situation," commented full committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), Vice Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Tim Murphy (R-PA), and Health Subcommittee Chairman Joe Pitts (R-PA).

U.S. Representative Joe Barton (R-TX) released the following statement on Facebook on Wednesday.

"This video reveals some disgusting actions by Planned Parenthood. I am glad that the House Committee on Energy and Commerce is going to investigate. I am ‪#‎prolife‬ and I believe I have a constitutional and moral obligation to protect those who do not have the power to protect themselves. I will continue to fight in Congress for the unborn," Barton wrote.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal also directed his state's Department of Health and Hospitals to launch an investigation into Planned Parenthood.

"Today’s video of a Planned Parenthood official discussing the systematic harvesting and trafficking of human body parts is shocking and gruesome. This same organization is seeking to open an abortion clinic in New Orleans. I have instructed Louisiana’s Department of Health and Hospitals to conduct an immediate investigation into this alleged evil and illegal activity and to not issue any licenses until this investigation is complete. I am also asking the FBI to assist DHH in investigating this alleged criminal activity by this organization," Jindal said on Tuesday.

Indiana Governor Mike Pence issued a statement Wednesday directing the Indiana State Department of Health to investigate the organization in cooperation with the Office of Indiana Attorney General.

"He also wrote to the Indiana Congressional Delegation regarding the recent video referencing Planned Parenthood’s alleged trafficking of aborted fetal tissue. He copied the U.S. Attorneys in the Northern and Southern Districts and county prosecutors in Marion, Monroe, Tippecanoe, and Lake counties, counties in which Planned Parenthood performs abortions," a press release from the Pence's office stated.

Click here to read Pence's letter.

"Every Hoosier should be deeply troubled by allegations that Planned Parenthood affiliates are engaged in the trafficking of human remains. If true, this is not only illegal, it is morally reprehensible. Under federal and state law, the buying or selling of human body parts is a felony and, as Governor, I have an obligation to make sure this is not happening in Indiana," Pence said.

Below is an eight minute video shot in July 2014 and released by the Center for Medical Progress on July 14, 2015 of Dr. Deborah Nucatola, Senior Director of Planned Parenthood, discussing the selling of fetus organs and body parts harvested during abortions performed by Planned Parenthood. Nucatola has been with Planned Parenthood since February 2005 when she was hired as a medical director. She was promoted to Senior Director in February 2009. (Warning the video may be disturbing to some viewers.)

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjxwVuozMnU&rel=0&w=550]

Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, released a video response to the allegations on Thursday denying Planned Parenthood sells baby parts, apologizing for the doctor's statements and critizing the Center for Medical Progress claiming their eight-minute video was highly edited despite the organization releasing the full video.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZUjU4e4fUI&rel=0&w=550]

Below is the full two hour and 42 minute video shot by the Center for Medical Progress. (Warning the video may be disturbing to some viewers.)

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4UjIM9B9KQ&rel=0&w=550]