Lankford, Rep. Smith Lead Over 100 Lawmakers in Letter Urging HHS Inspector General to Investigate Planned Parenthood

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - US Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Chair of the Senate Values Action Team, and Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ-04) recently led 128 Members of Congress in sending a letter to the Inspector General (IG) of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), urging the IG to review and investigate the activities and federal funding streams of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. and its affiliates.

"Serious concerns have long been raised regarding the organization's compliance with applicable federal laws, regulations, and program requirements governing the receipt and use of federal funds," the Republican lawmakers wrote. "In particular, these concerns relate to whether Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. and the organization's affiliates have adhered to applicable requirements governing program integrity, financial accountability, and the proper use of funds provided through HHS-administered programs," they continued.

The lawmakers argue these concerns warrant a comprehensive review of Planned Parenthood's use of federal funds and compliance with federal law.

"Congress has taken action to ensure taxpayer dollars are not funding organizations that perform abortions, but our work to protect taxpayers and ensure federal law is followed does not stop there," said Lankford. "Planned Parenthood and its affiliates have faced serious allegations involving the use of federal funds and compliance with federal law. Those allegations deserve a thorough review. The HHS Inspector General should follow the facts, determine whether federal laws and funding requirements have been violated, and hold accountable anyone who has misused taxpayer dollars."

"Planned Parenthood should not receive taxpayer dollars. Since 1970, it has killed over ten million unborn babies in its clinics-and today exterminates over 1,000 unborn babies every single day," said Smith. "Moreover, as the author of our Nation's first anti-human trafficking law, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) (PL 106-386), I remain deeply concerned by Live Action's credible accusations against Planned Parenthood involving its affiliates' enabling of human sex trafficking. In addition to reports of covering up and perpetuating sexual exploitation and abuse, Planned Parenthood has been haunted by allegations of trafficking fetal tissue, fraudulently using federal funds, and violating health codes. Aided by allies in Congress, the media, and academia, Planned Parenthood has largely escaped scrutiny and accountability, all while fostering a culture of death, denial, disrespect and discrimination against babies. It is long overdue for a comprehensive investigation and review, and I urge the HHS OIG to look closely to determine whether it has violated federal standards for federal funding recipients."

Background

The letter follows a recent Small Business Administration (SBA) investigation into whether Planned Parenthood affiliates improperly received approximately $88 million in loans through the Paycheck Protection Program during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawmakers are also raising concerns about additional allegations involving fraud, false statements, potential violations of federal criminal law, and failures to disclose potential violations to the federal government.

The lawmakers are asking the HHS Inspector General to review the federal funds Planned Parenthood and its affiliates have received and determine whether they were used in accordance with federal law. They also urged the Inspector General to coordinate with other federal oversight agencies, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), as needed.

Joining Lankford in sending the letter are Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Justice (R-WV), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), James Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL). Joining Smith in the House are 105 additional Representatives.

You can download the full text of the letter HERE and can learn more in Fox Digital HERE.

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