Republicans are fighting back against what they call a “weaponized” law targeting pro-life activists. As the GOP now controls the House, Senate, and White House, a growing coalition is demanding the repeal of a Clinton-era statute they say has been used to jail Americans simply for defending the unborn. If Republicans win now, it changes the abortion debate forever.
At a glance:
• More than 20 House Republicans support a bill to repeal the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act
• Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) is leading the repeal effort, arguing the Biden administration used the law to target pro-life activists
• Data shows 97% of FACE Act prosecutions in the last 20 years were against abortion opponents
• The Trump administration has already taken executive action to prevent the FACE Act from being weaponized during his term
• Pro-life groups are urging Congress to act quickly to ensure no future president can use the law against conservatives
GOP Representatives Demand FACE Act Repeal
Republican Congressman Chip Roy of Texas is spearheading efforts to repeal the controversial Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, a 1994 law that is disproportionately used against pro-life Americans. The law makes it a federal crime to use threats, obstruction, or property damage to interfere with reproductive health services, but data reveals a troubling pattern in its enforcement.
“Americans just spent the last four years being targeted by a weaponized justice system. The FACE Act was one of the primary weapons of abuse – being used to politically target, arrest, and jail pro-life Americans for speaking out and standing up for life,” said Rep. Chip Roy.
Roy now leads more than 25 Republican co-sponsors in introducing legislation to abolish the FACE Act completely. The push comes after President Trump pardoned pro-life activists who had been prosecuted under the law during the Biden administration.
Biden’s DOJ Accused of Targeting Conservatives
According to documentation from the Justice Department, an astonishing 97 percent of all FACE Act prosecutions in the last two decades have targeted pro-life Americans. This statistic has fueled accusations that the Biden administration weaponized federal law enforcement against conservatives while ignoring attacks on pro-life centers.
Ten defendants received prison sentences for violating the FACE Act during a 2020 abortion clinic blockade, with critics pointing out the severity of the sentences compared to other federal crimes.
“There’s no question that the Biden Administration weaponized the FACE Act against pro-life Americans,” stated the Concerned Women for America Communications Team. The group noted that early morning SWAT raids and unjust prison sentences had become tools for intimidating people who speak out against abortion.
Republican Trifecta Creates Path Forward
With Republicans now controlling the House, Senate, and White House, pro-life advocates see a clear opportunity to permanently eliminate an unnecessary and potentially unconstitutional law. A coalition of major pro-life organizations including Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Family Research Council, and Students For Life Action has rallied behind the repeal effort.
“Now that we have a Republican trifecta in the House, Senate, and White House, Congress should move quickly to repeal this law and ensure that no future president can weaponize it against pro-lifers ever again,” urged Rep. Roy. Despite the favorable political environment, however, some Republicans appear hesitant to advance the legislation.
In response, Rep. Roy has threatened to file a discharge petition to force movement on the bill. “I’m not going to sit back and wait while people hide and refuse to bring something forward because, ‘oh, no, this might be a little bit more controversial than just moving another continuing resolution’,” Roy declared.
The White House has not yet commented on the repeal bill, but Trump previously criticized the Biden administration for prosecuting pro-life protesters.
