EXCLUSIVE: 128 GOP lawmakers call for federal probe into Planned Parenthood's taxpayer funding
FIRST ON FOX: A coalition of 128 Republican lawmakers is pressing the federal government to scrutinize Planned Parenthood's taxpayer funding and potentially launch an investigation into the organization and its affiliates.
Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., and Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., led the bicameral effort, asking Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General T. March Bell to review Planned Parenthood's federal funding and determine whether the organization and its affiliates have complied with federal laws and funding requirements.
"We write to request that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) review and, if appropriate, initiate an investigation into the activities of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. and the organization's affiliates," the lawmakers wrote.
READ: DR. OZ PUTS ALL 50 GOVERNORS ON NOTICE OVER BILLIONS LOST TO MEDICAID FRAUD
Their request casts a rather wide net.
The lawmakers want the OIG to scrutinize funding flowing through HHS programs, grants, contracts and sub-awards and determine whether evidence exists of fraud, waste, abuse, misrepresentation or other violations affecting federal health programs.
If misconduct is uncovered, they want the watchdog to consider consequences ranging from administrative remedies and suspension to exclusion from federal healthcare programs or referrals to other authorities.
"Planned Parenthood and its affiliates have faced serious allegations involving the use of federal funds and compliance with federal law. Those allegations deserve a thorough review," Lankford said.
WHITE HOUSE LAUNCHES INTERACTIVE MAP TRACKING BILLIONS IN SUSPECTED FRAUD
"The HHS Inspector General should follow the facts, determine whether federal laws and funding requirements have been violated, and hold accountable anyone who has misused taxpayer dollars," he added.
The push comes as the Small Business Administration (SBA) separately reviews more than $88 million in COVID-era Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans received by 38 Planned Parenthood affiliates.
The lawmakers cited the SBA action in their letter, characterizing it as an investigation into whether Planned Parenthood affiliates "illegally received $88 million" in pandemic loans. SBA has described its action as a review of whether the affiliates were eligible for the loans. The review itself is not a finding that the affiliates violated the law.
But the lawmakers want federal scrutiny to go well beyond the pandemic loans.
They are asking the OIG to examine Planned Parenthood's broader HHS funding and coordinate with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on what they described as a "comprehensive review" of the organization's activities.
HHS-OIG told Fox News Digital Wednesday evening that it had not yet received the letter.
"We have not received the letter and will review it for appropriate action once received," HHS-OIG said.
Smith, co-chairman of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, said the scrutiny was "long overdue," citing allegations involving federal funding, reporting requirements, sexual exploitation and fetal tissue.
"It is long overdue for a comprehensive investigation and review, and I urge the HHS OIG to look closely to determine whether it has violated federal standards for federal funding recipients," Smith said.
The congressional letter also points to reports alleging failures to comply with mandatory reporting requirements involving suspected child abuse or neglect. The lawmakers are asking federal officials to examine those allegations. They have not been established as findings by HHS-OIG.
"Given the significant taxpayer resources that flow through federal health and human services programs, it is critical that recipient organizations operate with transparency, integrity, and full compliance with federal standards," the lawmakers wrote.
The lawmakers closed by asking OIG to coordinate across the federal government to conduct a "comprehensive review" of Planned Parenthood's activities.
"Thank you for your continued commitment to protecting the integrity of federal health programs and safeguarding taxpayer dollars," they wrote.
Planned Parenthood did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.