Screenshot from video released by the Center for Medical Progress (Courtesy of Center for Medical Progress)
It’s never a good look to be sipping red wine while discussing the costs associated with fetal tissue culled from abortions.
But that’s the situation Planned Parenthood found itself in this past week after a senior official was secretly taped by the Center for Medical Progress. (On its Web site, the CMP calls itself a “group of citizen journalists,” but it opposes abortion and quite clearly has an agenda in these matters.)
In the video, two CMP activists posing as representatives of a biotech firm ask about the costs associated with buying specific specimens of fetal tissue. The Planned Parenthood official says costs range from $30 to $100.
At issue is whether the Planned Parenthood doctor was referencing the costs associated with transporting the tissues or the price of the tissues themselves. The first type of charge is legal, the second isn’t — if Planned Parenthood profits from the sale.
Republicans quickly leaped on the video, denouncing the doctor’s callousness and Planned Parenthood’s alleged profiteering in one fell swoop. Presidential candidate Jeb Bush called it “a shocking and horrific reminder that we must do so much more to foster a culture of life in America.”
Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, released a video Thursday amid the hubbub, apologizing for the tone of the employee but defending her organization’s practices. “This is unacceptable, and I personally apologize for the staff member’s tone and statements,” Richards said. “The allegation that Planned Parenthood profits in any way from tissue donation is not true.”
No matter. A congressional investigation had already been launched in response to the undercover video, ensuring that Planned Parenthood and its practices will be front and center in the days to come.
Planned Parenthood, for being flip about aborted fetuses, you had the worst week in Washington. Congrats, or something.
Each week, Chris Cillizza awards the worst week in Washington to an inhabitant of Planet Beltway who stands out for all the wrong reasons. You can check out previous winners or e-mail Cillizza with candidates. You can also read more from Outlook and follow our updates on Facebook and Twitter.