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Legislative bills

Congressman Pfluger Introduces Conscience Protection Act of 2025 to Safeguard Healthcare Providers Who Refuse to Support or Promote Abortion

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) and Senator James Lankford (R-OK) introduced bicameral legislation to protect healthcare providers who refuse to support or promote abortion. The Conscience Protection Act of 2025 strengthens and expands the Weldon Amendment, a federal provision that prohibits any federal, state, or local government from discriminating against or penalizing healthcare providers who decline to perform, pay for, or refer for abortions. The bill codifies these protections into permanent law and establishes a civil right of action, allowing individuals and entities to seek legal recourse if their conscience rights are violated.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Conscience Protection Act of 2025 is a bicameral legislation introduced by Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) and Senator James Lankford (R-OK) to protect healthcare providers who refuse to support or promote abortion.
  • The bill strengthens and expands the Weldon Amendment, a federal provision that prohibits any federal, state, or local government from discriminating against or penalizing healthcare providers who decline to perform, pay for, or refer for abortions.
  • The Conscience Protection Act of 2025 codifies these protections into permanent law and establishes a civil right of action, allowing individuals and entities to seek legal recourse if their conscience rights are violated.
  • The legislation is co-sponsored in the House by Representatives Dan Webster (FL-11), John Moolenaar (MI-02), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), Adrian Smith (NE-03), Don Bacon (NE-02), Roger Williams (TX-25), Sheri Biggs (SC-03), and Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ-09).
  • The bill is supported by several pro-life advocacy organizations, including Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, March for Life, Alliance Defending Freedom, and the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG).

Statistics:

  • Since 2004, the Weldon Amendment has been attached to annual appropriations bills as a federal provision that prohibits any federal, state, or local government from discriminating against or penalizing healthcare providers who decline to perform, pay for, or refer for abortions.
  • The Conscience Protection Act of 2025 is endorsed by over 10 pro-life advocacy organizations and lawmakers from both the House and the Senate.
  • The bill aims to safeguard the conscience rights of over 150,000 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, who refuse to support or promote abortion.

Sources:

  • The Daily Signal
  • United States House of Representatives -- Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)
  • Senator James Lankford (R-OK)
  • Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America
  • March for Life
  • Alliance Defending Freedom
  • The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG)

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