The North Dakota House has passed a bill aimed at preventing NDSU from passing through federal grant money to Planned Parenthood.
The money is used to train teachers in sex education.
The bill as amended would penalize NDSU $2.8 million if it continues its partnership with Planned Parenthood.
Opponents said this sends a dangerous signal to anyone who may want to come to one of North Dakota's colleges or universities for research.
"They're going to see the writing on the wall that any research they do, if they upset someone in this chamber, they can come under attack," said House Minority Leader Joshua Boschee (D-Fargo).
Rep. Dan Ruby (R-Minot) called that argument “a red herring.”
"If that's going to keep some people from coming here because they can't come here to promote and work with an entity that kills innocent babies, I don't want them," Ruby said.
The bill passed 66 to 25. SB 2030 now goes back to the Senate for further consideration.