Tense Congressional Hearing on Abortion and White Supremacy

During a recent hearing, Representative Brandon Gill (R-Texas) put Southern Poverty Law Center Director Brian Fair on the spot regarding the organization’s claims linking abortion restrictions to white supremacy.

Gill initiated the exchange by referencing a statement from the SPLC, asserting, “Your organization has said that restricting and banning abortion is a tool used by the far right to maintain white supremacy.” He pressed Fair with a pointed question: “Do you think anti-abortion opponents are white supremacists?”

Fair avoided a direct answer multiple times before Gill pressed again, clarifying, “I don’t think pro-lifers are white supremacists, but do you?” To this, Fair responded, “I think reproductive freedom is a right that every woman should enjoy,” continuing to sidestep the inquiry.

Not one to back down, Gill highlighted the statistics on abortion rates, noting that “about 40% of abortions nationwide are of black babies” while black individuals represent only 13% of the population. He questioned Fair, “Does that sound like something a white supremacist would object to?”

Fair reiterated the SPLC’s support for reproductive freedom but did not address the accusations directly. Gill pointedly remarked, “It’s a pretty serious crime to call someone a white supremacist, right? If your organization said that, you would be able to defend yourself. You obviously can’t do that.” He continued by questioning whether the SPLC casually labels pro-lifers as racists without justification.

Blaze TV host Pat Gray echoed Gill’s concerns, expressing that this topic requires further examination. He stated, “The disproportionate number of black people who are aborted compared to white people… is alarming.” Gray added, “In New York City, more black children are aborted than born, which is concerning.”