Ernst Reacts to Judiciary Committee Referral for Investigation into Planned Parenthood and its Affiliates

WASHINGTON, D.C. –   U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) issued the following statement on Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley’s decision to refer the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, its affiliates, and fetal tissue procurement organizations to the FBI and the Department of Justice for an investigation into whether they engaged in the buying and selling of harvested organs of unborn babies in violation of federal law:

“I appreciate the diligent work of Chairman Grassley and the Senate Judiciary Committee in conducting a thorough investigation into the allegations surrounding Planned Parenthood’s role in the procurement and transfer of the organs of unborn babies. While I am still reviewing the extensive report, I hope that the Committee’s decision to make a criminal referral to the FBI and Department of Justice for investigation and potential criminal prosecution will serve as an important step in Congress’s efforts to get to the bottom of the serious legal questions that have been raised.

“Regardless, taxpayers should not be forced to foot the bill for roughly a half a billion dollars annually for an organization exhibiting such disrespect for human life. Rather, this federal funding should be redirected to other eligible providers of women’s health care, such as community health centers and hospitals which provide greater preventative and primary health care services regardless of a person’s ability to pay.”

Last year, Senator Ernst introduced legislation to protect women’s health and defund Planned Parenthood (S.1881), which received bipartisan support.

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