Coalition of Life Support Leaders Urges Repeal of Face Act

The Coalition of Life Support Leaders has reached out to the House Judiciary Committee, encouraging Republicans to support a bill aimed at repealing the Freedom of Access to Clinics (Face) Act, which has come under scrutiny from the Biden administration regarding its impact on pro-life activists.

This Wednesday, lawmakers are set to discuss HR 589, known as the Face Act Abolishment Act, initially established in 1994. The law was intended to protect against “violent, threatening, damaging and obstructing conduct” that could impede access to reproductive health services. Although it aimed to safeguard abortion clinics, pregnancy resource centers, and churches alike, data shows that 97% of related incidents have been directed towards pro-life supporters since its inception.

“Today, it’s crucial for the House Judiciary Committee to back President Trump’s efforts to stop the government’s misuse of power. We strongly urge those in the pro-life movement to vote in favor of Chip Roy’s HR 589 today,” the letter states.

Representative Chip Roy (R-TX) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the bill in September 2023, revisiting it in January following President Trump’s pardon of numerous peaceful pro-life activists targeted by the Biden administration.

“President Trump is working hard to put an end to the federal government’s weaponization,” the Coalition’s letter emphasizes. “Abolishing the Face Act is a significant step to ensure that life supporters can advocate for the most vulnerable without fear of retaliation.”

The letter notes that since the law was enacted, an overwhelming 97% of cases have focused on pro-life advocates. It further points out that the first time the federal government pursued action against pro-abortion aggressors was after Republican control of the House began in mid-2022.

Data from Senator Roy’s office reveals that in less than four years, Biden’s Department of Justice accounted for more than a quarter of 211 prosecutions under this law, with at least 55 cases initiated during his presidency. Remarkably, only a few of these cases involved pro-abortion individuals attacking pregnancy centers.

President Biden’s DOJ has allegedly revived tactics reminiscent of historical periods of oppression, with reports of FBI conducting early morning raids on pro-life advocates, sometimes in front of their families. Among those targeted have been individuals including an elderly survivor of a communist concentration camp and various community members known for their faith and families.

In response to these actions, President Trump’s DOJ previously issued a memorandum pledging to support pro-life advocates by halting the “weaponization” of the Face Act and dismissing specific cases.

“I commend President Trump for his commitment to addressing this issue and standing up for life supporters, but it’s essential for Congress to take decisive action by repealing the Face Act,” the letter concludes.

The appeal has gained support from several notable pro-life and conservative organizations, including American Life Students, SBA Pro-Life America, Catholic Voting, and the Family Research Council.