With the release of a video purportedly showing a top Planned Parenthood executive discussing the illegal sale of fetal body parts (a conversation over lunch, no less), several presidential hopefuls have weighed in on the controversy, while others have not yet responded.
Governor Jindal has halted the opening of a new Louisiana Planned Parenthood and has asked the FBI and DHH to investigate the organization, claiming “Today’s video of a Planned Parenthood official discussing the systematic harvesting and trafficking of human body parts is shocking and gruesome.”
Former Governor Perry released the following statement on his campaign website. “The video showing a Planned Parenthood employee selling the body parts of aborted children is a disturbing reminder of the organization’s penchant for profiting off the tragedy of a destroyed human life. It is because of stories like this that I signed legislation defunding Planned Parenthood in the state of Texas – to protect human life and the health and safety of Texans.”
Mrs. Fiorina wrote the following on her campaign’s Facebook wall: “I am proudly pro-life. I believe that every human life has potential and that every human life is precious. This latest news is tragic and outrageous. This isn’t about “choice.” It’s about profiting on the death of the unborn while telling women it’s about empowerment.”
Senator Cruz released the following statement on his campaign website, calling Congress to action: “Congress should immediately begin an investigation of Planned Parenthood’s activities regarding the sale and transfer of aborted body parts, including who is obtaining them and what they are being used for. And it should renew efforts to fully defund Planned Parenthood to ensure that its morally bankrupt business receives not one penny of taxpayer money.”
Senator Santorum tweeted that he “Always have been & always will be in favor of defunding @PPact & their destruction & now exploitation of human life.” (@PPact is Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s official Twitter account)
The Wisconsin governor called the news ‘absolutely horrifying.’ “Planned Parenthood and the Democrats who vote to fund this organization owe the American people an explanation for these heinous, and possibly illegal, actions. Practices like this cannot be tolerated, which is why as governor, I defunded Planned Parenthood,” Walker told BuzzFeed.
Dr. Carson wrote on his campaign website that he “was sickened when I saw the video of Dr. Deborah Nucatola of Planned Parenthood secretly video taped discussing selling aborted baby parts.” He went on to say that he has “spent my whole life caring for children. What I see in this video is barbaric. Congress must ACT!“ Dr. Carson has since started a petition to ask Congress to stop all public funds from going to Planned Parenthood.
Dr. Paul wrote on his Facebook account, “I’m taking a stand to defund Planned Parenthood. Are you with me? This callous disrespect for human life sickens me. Despite their best efforts, I doubt our national media will succeed in covering this story up. But I’m afraid that’s not enough. It’s time for the American people to demand Congress take action.”
Governor Bush tweeted that the video is a “shocking and horrific reminder that we must do so much more to foster a culture of life in America”
Sent out a series of tweets condemning Planned Parenthood that called the selling of unborn baby parts ‘grotesque’, as well as pledging to defund the organization.
Marco Rubio (R)
Senator Rubio posted a link to his position on life on his campaign’s Facebook wall very soon after the video was made available online. In it, he affirms his belief that life is from “conception until natural death.” He wrote, “I am sickened by the complete disregard for innocent unborn life evident at Planned Parenthood. I’m proud that one of my first actions in the Senate was voting to defund this organization.”
Marco Rubio (R), Chris Christie (R), Donald Trump (R), Hillary Clinton (D), Bernie Sanders (D), and Jim Webb (D) have not yet addressed the video, although they have all discussed life issues in the past.
When we hear from other candidates, we will post their comments. If you see a statement from a presidential candidate that’s not up here, please email info@catholicvote.org.