GOP Senators Seek Abortion Probe in Light of Gosnell Case

Republican senators are hoping to reopen the late-term abortion debate in light of  the trial of Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell.

Sen. Mike Lee of Utah is leading the charge, saying Congress has the responsibility to investigate abortions performed near, at, or after viability.

"The facts of the Gosnell case are disturbing and heartbreaking," Lee said in a statement. "It should be a wake-up call to all Americans. The lack of oversight at abortion facilities puts women’s lives at risk and leads to the kind of unconscionable practices we have seen recently."

Lee authored a resolution saying that lawmakers "should gather information about and correct abusive, unsanitary and illegal abortion practices and the interstate referral of women and girls to facilities engaged in dangerous or illegal second- and third-trimester procedures,” Politico reported.

The resolution was co-signed by Republican senators including Marco Rubio of Florida, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Ted Cruz of Texas and Tim Scott of South Carolina.

Gosnell is currently on trial for first-degree murder in the killing of four babies and third-degree murder in the killing of one woman.