In a letter sent to the FBI and the Department of Justice on Tuesday, committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, Iowa Republican, referred four of Planned Parenthood’s largest affiliates, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and three of the abortion provider’s business partners for potential prosecution.
"I don’t take lightly making a criminal referral," Mr. Grassley said in a press release. "But, the seeming disregard for the law by these entities has been fueled by decades of utter failure by the Justice Department to enforce it. And, unless there is a renewed commitment by everyone involved against criminalizing the trade in aborted fetal body parts for profit, then the outcome is likely to continue."
Although the Obama administration is unlikely to follow through on the recommendation, the referral will provide the Trump administration with a foundation to levy criminal charges against Planned Parenthood.
The referral follows an undercover video investigation into Planned Parenthood and its business partners published last year by the Center for Medical Progress. Those videos featured top Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of human remains from abortions. Planned Parenthood said any fees associated with the trade covered only reimbursement costs.