As many of you are probably aware, videos have recently surfaced highlighting horrendous, disturbing and potentially illegal activity by Planned Parenthood.  These actions are unacceptable and reprehensible, and I am deeply troubled by the current allegations that Planned Parenthood profits from the sale of body parts of children. Let that sentence sink in for a moment.

My wife Jacquie and I are blessed with seven wonderful children, each with their own unique gifts they bring to the world.

Nationwide more than 56 million unborn babies have been lost since Roe v. Wade nationwide, and while Planned Parenthood performs 300,000 abortions every year.

Through their recent unacceptable and reprehensible actions, Planned Parenthood has lost the trust of the American people.

I am, and always have been, pro-life and I am opposed to federal funding of abortion.

Since January, I have cosponsored the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act, which would deny federal grants to any organization that provides abortions, including Planned Parenthood. I also voted for the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2015, which would prohibit any federal funds from being used for abortions, except in cases of rape or incest, or when the welfare of the mother is in jeopardy.

In July, along with 54 of my colleagues, I wrote a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, urging an investigation of Planned Parenthood by an independent counsel.

Planned Parenthood must be held accountable for their behavior and taxpayers must know their hard-earned dollars are not funding these horrific actions. In fact, just today, we voted for the Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015, which I was proud to cosponsor.

Today, Congress voted to defund Planned Parenthood and to transfer the funds from Congress to more than 13,000 clinics nationwide which provide health services for women, without conducting abortions – actually expanding women’s access to health care.

As a nation we can focus on and invest in women’s health while maintaining the standard and principle that every life is precious and must be protected.