Smith told The Hill he wasn’t certain what action – if any – lawmakers might take.

“We’re looking at options,” he said. “But right now the focus is on trying to get the national news media to pay attention to a preventable tragedy against women and babies every day. I think it’s important for humanitarian-oriented Americans to understand what goes on in abortion industry, and [Gosnell] is a microcosm of it.”

Perry argued that the U.S. attorney general should get involved because some patients travelled across state lines for the procedures.

“I wouldn’t hold my breath about that,” Smith said.

Higgins said Congress could immediately look at taxpayer funding for abortion providers, like Planned Parenthood, and could better enforce safety and inspections at existing abortion providers.