Breaking: Mike Pence’s Investigation Into Planned Parenthood Finds Zero Violations

The false and debunked claims that Planned Parenthood is selling aborted fetus body parts just got even more debunked.

A shadowy anti-abortion group called the Center for Medical Progress over the past few weeks has released three videos they claim show Planned Parenthood executives “haggling over baby-part pricing.”

They don’t. The deceptively-edited videos, however, have been fuel for the GOP’s attacks on women and their civil right to obtaining safe and legal abortions.

Many journalists and liberal organizations have debunked the videos and the Center for Media Progress’ false claims.

ThinkProgress’ Tara Culp-Ressler last week published “Everything You Need To Know About The Anti-Abortion Groups Trying To Discredit Planned Parenthood,” that, as promised, reports extensively on the actual facts about the group, its ties to Republican politicians, and its false claims.

RH Reality Check last week also published an astonishing infographic, “A Network of Lies,” which details the extensive web of right wing organizations that are literally profiting from the Center for Medical Progress’s attacks. They’ve also published over 30 articles on CMP’s operations, and their false allegations against Planned Parenthood.

But now, more proof that Planned Parenthood is not selling baby parts – as CMP and the GOP charge, even on Facebook in memes with hashtags, like #PPSellsBabyParts:

Two weeks ago Indiana’s ultra-conservative governor, Mike Pence, ordered an investigation into Planned Parenthood.

“Every Hoosier should be deeply troubled by allegations that Planned Parenthood affiliates are engaged in the trafficking of human remains,” Pence’s press release stated. “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.”

Tonight, Mike Pence’s investigation has been completed.

The Associated Press reports “Indiana on Thursday cleared Planned Parenthood facilities that perform abortions in the state of any wrongdoing in the handling of fetal tissue.”

“The Indiana Department of Health said in a statement Thursday that an investigation found no evidence of any laws being broken,” and in letters sent to Planned Parenthood, the DOH said it was “unable to find any non-compliance with state regulations. Therefore, no deficiencies were cited.”

 

Image by Gage Skidmore via Flickr and a CC license