Jefferson City, MO (LifeNews.com) -- Missouri lawmakers in the state House have voted to make sure that none of the proceeds the state earns from the sale of the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority can be used to pay for human cloning or abortion. Pro-life legislators say the vote was needed because the legislature failed to agree on how the funds should be spent.

Even though lawmakers did not agree on how the money should be used, Gov. Matt Blunt said he will move forward with the sale anyway.

Rep. Rachel Bringer, a Democrat, put forward the amendment to make sure none of the MOHELA money could be used for anti-life activities and its similar to one in place regarding Missouri’s Life Sciences Research Trust Fund.

It also covers embryonic stem cell research and received a 111-43 vote.

Rep. Bob Johnson, a Republican, told the Columbia Tribune newspaper that he opposed Bringer's provision because Missouri voters may approve an initiative on the November ballot to promote human cloning and embryonic stem cell research.

"I'm just concerned that it just muddies the water for something that’s … going to happen on its own," Johnson said, adding that the November vote could nullify Bringer's amendment.

"I don't think we should stop legislating, just anticipating something that may or may not happen," bringer said in response to Johnson's concerns, the Tribune reported.

The anti-funding provision was attached to a higher education measure the House did not approve. Once it does, the measure would go back to the Senate to adopt the changes the House made.

Related web sites:
Missourians Against Human Cloning - http://www.NoCloning.org