
A growing coalition of House Republicans led by Rep. Chip Roy is pushing to repeal the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, claiming the law has been unfairly weaponized against pro-life activists while those attacking pregnancy centers face little consequence.
Key Insights
- More than 20 House Republicans are supporting legislation to repeal the FACE Act, which has been used to prosecute pro-life activists since Roe v. Wade was overturned.
- Data shows 97% of FACE Act prosecutions over the last 20 years have targeted abortion opponents, raising concerns about selective enforcement.
- Despite Republican control of the House, Senate, and White House, the bill faces internal opposition from some GOP lawmakers reluctant to advance it to a vote.
- Major pro-life organizations including Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and Family Research Council are urging swift action to prevent future administrations from using the law against activists.
Republicans Challenge “Weaponized” FACE Act
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) is spearheading efforts to repeal the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, a 1994 federal law making it a crime to use threats, obstruction, or property damage to interfere with reproductive health services. The law has become a flashpoint in the abortion rights debate, with pro-life advocates claiming it disproportionately targets their activism while ignoring violence against pregnancy resource centers.
“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,” Roy said.
Enforcement Disparity Under Scrutiny
Justice Department data reveals a stark disparity in FACE Act enforcement: 97% of all cases over two decades have targeted pro-life activists. This pattern intensified under President Biden, with 55 out of 60 recent cases brought against pro-life advocates. Critics point to this as evidence of political bias, noting that the first FACE Act charges against a pro-abortion activist only emerged after House Republicans began investigating the Biden administration’s use of the law.
The repeal effort has gained support from major conservative organizations. A coalition including Concerned Women for America, Students for Life Action, CatholicVote, and the Thomas More Society has written to the House Judiciary Committee urging immediate action. The letter cites “early morning SWAT raids” and “unjust prison sentences” imposed on pro-life activists under the Biden administration.
Republican Resistance Complicates Repeal Effort
Despite having a Republican majority in both chambers of Congress plus control of the White House, the FACE Act repeal faces resistance from within GOP ranks. Rep. Roy has become frustrated with leadership’s reluctance to advance the bill, threatening to file a discharge petition to force consideration if committee leaders continue to block it.
According to Roy, “If my Republican colleagues continue to refuse to bring the FACE Act up for a vote in committee or the floor, I will file a discharge petition, and I will start to try to move the bill, irrespective of the normal procedures. 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.’ It is time that we change.”
Pro-lifers should never fear going to prison for praying outside abortion clinics.@RepChipRoy is right – Congress should pass his FACE Act repeal immediately. https://t.co/JIOW4sAzXU
— Rep. Mark Harris (@RepMarkHarrisNC) March 6, 2025
Trump Administration Takes Action
President Trump has already taken executive action to prevent the FACE Act from being used against activists during his current term and has pardoned individuals prosecuted under the law during the Biden administration. Ten defendants had received prison sentences for violating the FACE Act during a 2020 abortion clinic blockade, with some facing lengthy incarceration.
While Trump’s actions provide immediate relief, pro-life organizations argue that only a full repeal can prevent future administrations from using the law as a political weapon. They contend that existing criminal statutes already address actions like property damage, assault, and obstruction, making the FACE Act redundant and constitutionally questionable as it specifically targets certain types of political expression.
The White House has not commented on the repeal bill, which currently has 25 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives. Whether Republican leadership will allow the bill to advance remains uncertain as the party navigates complex political calculations around abortion policy in a post-Roe landscape.
Sources:
- https://www.foxnews.com/politics/roy-leads-house-republicans-effort-repeal-law-used-biden-administration-prosecute-pro-lifers
- https://concernedwomen.org/cwa-lac-joins-letter-urging-repeal-of-face-act/
- https://cincinnatirighttolife.org/key-pro-life-organizations-demand-republicans-repeal-weaponized-face-act-as-soon-as-possible/
- https://thefederalist.com/2025/03/21/pro-life-house-republicans-could-repeal-the-face-act-today-but-they-hesitate/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pro-life-house-republicans-could-repeal-the-face-act-today-but-they-hesitate