U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), chair of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, this week jumpstarted her goal to end federal support for research involving fetal tissue obtained from abortions and to outlaw trafficking of the body parts of aborted children.

The Brookhaven senator on Wednesday reintroduced the Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act (S.987) to prohibit all federal agencies from conducting, funding, approving, or otherwise supporting any research involving human fetal tissues obtained from an induced abortion. It would also prohibit solicitation or receipt of human fetal tissue resulting from an abortion.

“There are ethical and scientifically valid ways to conduct fetal tissue research without relying on the body parts of aborted babies. Yet, the federal government currently spends millions of our taxpayer dollars each year funding research that uses tissue from abortions, furthering the dehumanizing practice of fetal tissue trafficking. It’s time to stop funding this inhumane practice that is an affront to the sanctity of life,” Hyde-Smith said.

The National Institutes of Health, which spent $53 million on human fetal tissue research in 2023, expects to spend $55 million in 2025. 

Building support for alternatives to research rooted in abortion, Hyde-Smith emphasized that non-fetal cells were used to develop insulin for diabetes and Herceptin for breast cancer, and umbilical cord blood has treated thousands of people with blood disorders. Adult stem cells have saved the lives of more than 1 million people worldwide, treating cancers, hematologic diseases and autoimmune disorders.

The Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act would continue to allow the use of fetal tissue obtained after a miscarriage or stillbirth.

Original cosponsors of S.987 include Senators James Risch (R-Idaho), James Lankford (R-Okla.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.), and Mike Lee (R-Utah).

Congressman Bob Onder M.D. (R-Mo.) also introduced a companion measure (HR.2075) in the House of Representatives, with cosponsors Rep. Trent Kelly (R-Miss.), Michael Guest (R-Miss.) and Mike Ezell (R-Miss.). 

“The creation of a taxpayer-funded marketplace for babies lost to abortion is a monstrous, barbaric practice from the start. Every baby, even those lost to abortion, deserves to be treated with human decency and respect – not like science experiments,” said Congressman Onder. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation to put that practice to an end.”

Americans United for Life, Catholic Vote, Concerned Women for America LAC, March for Life Action, Students for Life Action, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, and U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities support this legislation.

Second Amendment 

Hyde-Smith has joined U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) in reintroducing two bills to enhance the Second Amendment rights of individuals with no fixed physical address.

Hyde-Smith is an original cosponsor of the Protect Our Military Families’ 2nd Amendment Rights Act (S.961) and Traveler’s Gun Rights Act (S.966), both of which would amend the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) to protect the Second amendment rights of military families and full-time travelers.  Current federal restrictions often limit the ability of these groups to obtain firearms legally.

“Bureaucratic hurdles shouldn’t stand in the way of law-abiding Americans – including our brave servicemembers and their families – exercising their constitutional rights to own a firearm,” said Hyde-Smith. “These bills are about ensuring that Americans, no matter where they live or how they live, can freely exercise their Second Amendment rights without unnecessary interference.”

“As a hunter, a lawful gun owner and a supporter of the Second Amendment, I am committed to protecting the rights of lawful gun owners,” said Rounds.  “The laws currently on the books do not go far enough in acknowledging the unique living situations of many Americans, including military families and full-time travelers.  These bills would amend the law to remove roadblocks for law-abiding citizens trying to exercise their Second Amendment rights.”

S.961 would allow licensed dealers to sell or ship firearms to the spouses of active-duty military members.  Under the GCA, citizens can only purchase firearms in the state where they are considered residents. Currently, the GCA also allows exceptions for service members, but not their spouses.

S.966 would clarify the terms “state of residence” and “residence” to include private mailboxes and post office boxes.  Despite the fact that these addresses are often used for driver’s licenses and other official documentation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) currently does not recognize them as valid for firearms transaction records.

Both measures, which have been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, have been endorsed by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.