The head of Planned Parenthood has released an apology over an undercover video where a staff member appeared to discuss the selling of body parts from aborted babies.

Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, defended the practice of the organization but apologized for the tone of the staff member because she said it did not reflect the “compassionate care we provide.”

“Our top priority is the compassionate care that we provide. In the video, one of our staff members speaks in a way that does not reflect that compassion. This is unacceptable, and I personally apologize for the staff member’s tone and statements,” Richards says in the video. “As always, if there is any aspect of our work that can be strengthened, we want to know about it, and we take swift action to address it.”

The undercover video has drawn condemnation from Congress where House Speaker John Boehner called the video “disgusting.”  Several House committees have said they will conduct investigations into the video and into Planned Parenthood’s operations.

Senator Chuck Grassley of the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to the attorney general requesting information about whether the video shows violations of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.

The videotaped discussion, he wrote, “raises questions about whether the actions of abortion providers, and in particular those employed by Planned Parenthood and its affiliates, are consistent with federal law.  I respectfully request that you provide the Committee with a description of any and all actions taken by the Department to ensure compliance with this statute.”