Contact: J.P. Duffy or Alice Chao, Family Research Council, 866-372-6397 

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2016 /Christian Newswire/ -- The House Energy & Commerce Committee's Select Investigative Panel recently announced they have referred Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast for criminal prosecution by the Texas Attorney General. The announcement followed an investigation into whether abortion centers profited from the sale of baby body parts.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins made the following comments:

"The panel's recommendation that Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast be criminally prosecuted is the appropriate next step in bringing justice to bear on a group that clearly sees itself as above the law.

"With criminal prosecution a growing possibility, the new Congress should once again use the reconciliation process to redirect taxpayer dollars away from Planned Parenthood.

"Last year, Congress blazed a trail in preparation for a president who understands the value of every person, born and unborn. On Election Day, that's exactly what voters delivered. On both the federal and state level, voters empowered the pro-life party to bring an end to the forced partnership between taxpayers and Planned Parenthood.

"I thank U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and the committee members for their investigative work," concluded Perkins.