Lafayette Reporter

WASHINGTON – Senators John Kennedy (R-La.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) have introduced the Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act, a bill aimed at preventing the government from using human fetal tissue obtained through induced abortions for research purposes. The legislation would prohibit federal departments, agencies, and offices from conducting, funding, or approving any research involving such tissue.

Senator Kennedy expressed his concern over the use of taxpayer dollars to fund research that relies on the "taking of innocent life." He stated, "It's unconscionable that our government would use American taxpayer dollars to fund research that exploits or depends on the taking of innocent life. If the Biden administration won't stop this immorality, Congress should."

Senator Hyde-Smith echoed these sentiments, describing the harvesting and trafficking of unborn babies' body parts as "heinous and unethical." She emphasized that taxpayer funds should be allocated to research that enhances the quality of life, rather than devaluing it for the sake of scientific studies. Hyde-Smith stated, "This legislation would stop the Biden administration's gross abuse of taxpayer funds."

This bill builds upon Senator Kennedy's consistent efforts to protect the sanctity of life. In the previous Congress, he cosponsored legislation to prevent the Department of Defense from facilitating abortions and supported acts to permanently halt federal funding for abortions and to restrict federal funding for abortions overseas.

In the 117th Congress, Senator Kennedy opposed the use of taxpayer money to fund abortions, voted against efforts to force states to legalize abortion up to the point of birth, and played a significant role in defunding Planned Parenthood.

The Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act has garnered support from several other senators, including Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Ted Budd (R-N.C.).

The text of the Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act can be found here.

This legislation reflects a growing concern among lawmakers about the ethical implications of using fetal tissue obtained through induced abortions for scientific research. The bill aims to ensure that taxpayer funds are directed towards research that promotes the enhancement of life, rather than the exploitation of innocent lives.