Rather than directly accusing Planned Parenthood of breaking the law, Republicans are using the controversy over the collection of fetal body parts to draw attention to the procedure of abortion itself.
"People all across this country are horrified and appalled by the images we have seen on the videos," said Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., on Wednesday as she and a group of GOP senators introduced legislation to strip federal funding from the women's health and abortion provider.
Abortion opponents have long displayed graphic depictions of mangled fetuses, although that practice is controversial within the anti-abortion movement. But now activists and Republicans are trying their hardest to draw and keep public attention on new footage showing Planned Parenthood workers themselves handling fetal remains.
"The distaste [people] had at seeing these videos I think reminds people that Americans are at heart a compassionate people," said Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. "The images were disturbing, they were chilling, they were gruesome."
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