WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18), a member of the Pro-Life Caucus, today reintroduced the Prohibiting Abortion Industry’s Lucrative Loopholes Act. This pro-life bill would close existing legal loopholes and strengthen penalties to ensure abortion organizations or other institutions cannot profit off the sale of fetal remains.
“I’m proud to reintroduce the Prohibiting Abortion Industry’s Lucrative Loopholes Act to put an end to the horrific practice of for-profit fetal tissue sales,” Congressman Franklin said. “Protecting the sanctity of life is paramount. I urge my colleagues to take immediate action to eliminate these loopholes that abortion organizations have taken advantage of for far too long.”
“This bill is about upholding the sanctity of life and ensuring that abortion organizations cannot profit from selling fetal remains. Even though the practice of selling fetal tissue for research was banned in 1993, these organizations have managed to find loopholes to accommodate their greed and evil profiting. These innocent babies should not be piece milled and sold in the name of science – and this bill closes any remaining loopholes from being manipulated by abortion organizations for profit,” said Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05), Dean of the House.
“I am more than pleased to join Representative Franklin in supporting legislation that closes the loopholes that have allowed abortion organizations to skirt the law and continue the unconscionable practice of selling fetal tissue for profit,” said Congressman Paul Gosar (AZ-09).
Universities, labs and other research institutions are allowed to use fetal tissue for scientific purposes. Currently, abortion organizations sell fetal tissue to these organizations. Although legally barred from making money on these sales, abortion organizations have managed to turn a profit by selling the remains of aborted babies using the legal loophole known as the “valuable consideration” clause. The clause allows for abortion providers to charge fees for reimbursements, gifts, and shipping and processing without limitations or caps.
Specifically, Franklin’s measure would prohibit any payments, reimbursements, gifts or compensation for fetal tissue by closing the “valuable consideration” loophole. Additionally, violators would be fined or face up to 10 years in prison. Congress outlawed the for-profit sale of fetal remains in 1993, but current law does not place restrictions on these exceptions, leading to potentially limitless profits.
Franklin first introduced the Prohibiting Abortion Industry’s Lucrative Loopholes Act in May 2022.
Original cosponsors include: Reps. Randy Weber (TX-14), Jake Ellzey (TX-6), Hal Rogers (KY-05), Paul Gosar (AZ-09), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), Mary Miller (IL-15), Keith Self (TX-03), Brian Babin (TX-36), John Rutherford (FL-05), Daniel Webster (FL-11), and John Moolenaar (MI-02).
Click here for the full bill text.