House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio) slammed "gruesome" abortion practices Wednesday after video surfaced of taxpayer-funded Planned Parenthood’s top doctor discussing the sale of body parts of aborted babies.
Boehner in a statement called on President Obama and Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell to "denounce" such practices, demanding hearings be held on the issue.
"Nothing is more precious than life, especially an unborn child. When anyone diminishes an unborn child, we are all hurt, irreversibly so," Boehner declared. "When an organization monetizes an unborn child -- and with the cavalier attitude portrayed in this horrific video -- we must all act."
"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," he added.
On Tuesday, video surfaced of Dr. Deborah Nucatola, senior director of medical services at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, discussing the sale of heart, liver and other body parts of aborted babies.
Planned Parenthood has defended Nucatola, claiming that "patients sometimes want to donate tissue to scientific research that can help lead to medical breakthroughs." Stem Express has since taken down its website for "maintenance."
While Republicans like GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry have slammed Planned Parenthood in the aftermath of the video, 2016 Democratic hopefuls have remained silent on the controversy.
Planned Parenthood has received $27.8 million from taxpayers this year, according to a Washington Free Beacon analysis.