WASHINGTON, D.C.—Representative Warren Davidson (R-OH) and Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) authored a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin today, urging Treasury to abandon Internal Revenue Service guidance that classifies abortion as health care.

Seventy-nine representatives and 22 senators joined Davidson and Braun in signing the letter, which asks Treasury to issue new guidance that would end medical tax breaks for abortion, except in cases where the mother’s life is in danger. It also requests that health insurers be required to separately distinguish abortion from medical care in coverage policies in order for insurance premiums to remain eligible for medical expense and self-employed tax deductions, similar to the 2009 Nelson Amendment included in the Affordable Care Act.

After the 1973 Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade, the IRS took it upon itself to define abortion as health care, contrary to statute and congressional intent. By correcting this error, the Treasury and Secretary Mnuchin would protect taxpayers from funding the procedure and subsidizing the deaths of innocents.

After sending the letter to Secretary Mnuchin, Rep. Davidson and Sen. Braun made the following statements:

“Abortion is not health care, and it should not be recognized as such by the IRS.” Davidson said. “I am proud to partner with Sen. Mike Braun and our colleagues in calling upon Secretary Mnuchin to have the IRS reverse its controversial 1973 ruling, which runs contrary to statute. Taxpayers should never be forced to subsidize abortion.”

“Every human life from the moment of conception is invaluable,” said Senator Mike Braun. “Taking the life of an unborn child through abortion is certainly not health care, and should not be treated as such.”

Click here for the full text of the letter.