Rep. Chip Roy is on a mission to dismantle the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which he says has been weaponized against pro-life Americans under Biden’s watch. The Texas Republican’s fight to repeal this Clinton-era law comes as statistics reveal a shocking 97% of prosecutions have targeted pro-life activists.
At a glance:
• Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) introduced legislation to repeal the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, with Sen. Mike Lee leading companion legislation in the Senate
• The FACE Act was intended to protect both abortion clinics and religious facilities but has been criticized for targeting pro-life activists
• Department of Justice data shows 97% of FACE Act prosecutions from 1994-2024 were against pro-life Americans
• No arrests have been made for numerous violent attacks on pro-life centers and churches since the Dobbs decision leak
• Roy vows to use a discharge petition to force a vote if Republican leadership doesn’t advance the bill
Biden DOJ Accused of Weaponizing Law Against Pro-Lifers
Representative Chip Roy’s legislation to repeal the FACE Act comes amid growing concerns that the Biden administration has unfairly targeted pro-life demonstrators. The Texas Republican has pointed to Department of Justice data revealing that a staggering 97% of all FACE Act prosecutions from 1994 to 2024 have been against pro-life Americans.
“Free Americans should never live in fear of their government targeting them because of their beliefs,” stated Representative Roy. “Yet, Biden’s Department of Justice has brazenly weaponized the FACE Act against normal, everyday Americans across the political spectrum, simply because they are pro-life.”
The FACE Act, passed in 1994 under President Bill Clinton, prohibits force or obstruction against those seeking reproductive health services or practicing religion. Despite its stated purpose to protect both abortion clinics and religious facilities, critics argue it has been applied in a severely one-sided manner.
The American people are sick of weaponized justice.
They’ve spoken – Rep. Roy is committed to ending the Biden era of going after pro-lifers once and for all👇#RepealFACE https://t.co/slWTrV1vS4
— Rep. Chip Roy Press Office (@RepChipRoy) December 19, 2024
Republican Support Grows for Repeal Effort
Roy’s bill has garnered support from several prominent Republicans in the House, including Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene, Dan Crenshaw, and Harriet Hageman. Senator Mike Lee of Utah is leading the companion legislation in the Senate, arguing that the FACE Act represents federal overreach into state police powers.
“The Constitution reserves general police power to the states, which Congress infringed upon when it passed the FACE Act,” Senator Lee explained. The repeal effort has also received backing from numerous conservative organizations including Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Family Research Council, and Students for Life Action.
Tom McClusky, Director of Government Affairs at CatholicVote, expressed strong support for the repeal. “With the election of President Trump, Catholics now are better protected from unfair persecutions that they were subject to under the Biden administration,” he said.
.@HouseGOP should repeal the FACE Act and STOP Biden's DOJ crusade against pro-life Americans
Rep. Roy has the bill to do it (HR 5577)⬇️https://t.co/fb4hwBhVbs
— Rep. Chip Roy Press Office (@RepChipRoy) April 4, 2024
The push to repeal the FACE Act gained significant momentum after President Donald Trump pardoned 23 pro-life activists who had been prosecuted under the law. This action highlighted what many conservatives view as the uneven application of justice, with pro-life protesters facing federal charges while attacks on pregnancy centers went unprosecuted.
“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 Congressman Roy. “No more excuses, let’s get it done.”
It’s about time!
