Indianapolis – Governor Mike Pence today directed the Indiana State Department of Health to investigate Planned Parenthood facilities in Indiana in cooperation with the Office of the Indiana Attorney General to ensure compliance with the law. 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.
“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. For this reason, I have directed the Indiana State Department of Health to conduct an immediate investigation with the cooperation of the Office of the Attorney General of Indiana to determine whether Planned Parenthood affiliates in Indiana have engaged in any illegal activities with respect to the trafficking in or disposition of fetal tissue. Whatever one’s view on the issue of abortion, Hoosiers can be assured that we will make certain that this appalling practice is not taking place in Indiana.”
Excerpts from the letter include:
“At the state level, we will hold organizations that provide abortions the strictest standards and scrutiny, and we will continue to do all that we can to cultivate a culture of life in the state.”
“I understand that Congress will be conducting its own hearings and investigation into the practices discussed by the employees in the video, and I applaud the leadership in Congress for taking that step.”
