U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) is leading an effort in the House of Representatives to ensure that federal research tax dollars are not being funneled to abortion providers.

Luetkemeyer, along with 29 of his colleagues, authored a letter urging the House Appropriations Committee to include a provision prohibiting the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from funding the purchase of fetal tissue procured from induced abortions in the annual Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. 

As stated in the letter, “Throughout 2015, the American public was exposed to the disturbing and inhumane acts utilized by abortion providers to procure and harvest fetal tissue. As your [Labor-H] Subcommittee maintains jurisdiction over appropriations for the NIH, we believe this year’s appropriations process offers opportunity to enhance life-affirming protections.” The letter further states, “We respectfully request that no funds be made available for the procurement of fetal tissue obtained from induced abortions in Fiscal Year 2017. This will ensure that abortion providers do not profit from the harvesting of innocent, human lives.”