"AUL Action has long called on Congress to disentangle the American taxpayer from Big Abortion," said Dr. Yoest. "Half-a-Billion dollars each year fattens the coffers of the profiteering abortion industry leader Planned Parenthood. That money can be directed to true healthcare."

Contact: Kristi Hamrick, 202-289-1478, press@aul.org

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ -- Americans United for Life Action President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest called on the U.S. Senate to pass S. 1881, a bill to "Prohibit Federal Funding of Planned Parenthood," sponsored by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), telling the Senate in a letter to Capitol Hill that it would be a scored vote for life. "AUL Action has long called on Congress to disentangle the American taxpayer from the Abortion Industry. Half-a-Billion dollars each year fattens the coffers of the profiteering abortion industry leader. That money can be directed to true healthcare."

A vote on the measure, expected later today, follows release of four undercover videos by The Center for Medical Progress (CMP), capturing Planned Parenthood's top doctors and other personnel discussing their practice of harvesting the body parts of aborted infants in exchange for money.

"Images of abortionists haggling over the price of infant hearts, lungs, livers and limbs has shocked the conscience of the nation," noted Dr. Yoest. "Planned Parenthood's abhorrent and potentially illegal practice uncovered by CMP is further proof that subsidizing Planned Parenthood is an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars."

In FY 2014, Planned Parenthood reported that 40% of its nearly $1.3 billion in revenue came at the taxpayers' expense. A report issued by the Government Accountability Office in March 2015 documented that Planned Parenthood receives half a billion dollars annually from federal and joint federal-state programs. The federal government has a responsibility to the American people to ensure the integrity of these programs.

Relying on a heavy stream of funding from the government, Planned Parenthood operates the largest abortion business in the nation. Planned Parenthood clinics perform nearly 900 abortions every single day—327,653 abortions in 2013. According to Planned Parenthood’s most recent annual report, abortions were 94% of its pregnancy related services.

Click here to read AULA's letter to the Senate. And click here to learn more about AUL's efforts to Investigate Big Abortion.

Click here to learn more about the legal issues surrounding the horrific images of trafficking in infant remains.

AUL Action is the advocacy branch of AUL, the legal architect of the pro-life movement. We are accumulating victories, building momentum, and advancing a culture of life in America. Our vision is a nation in which everyone is welcomed in life and protected in law.