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Violence

Republicans Push to Repeal Law Protecting Abortion Clinics and Houses of Worship from Violence

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the United States continues to grapple with the aftermath of the Dobbs decision, a Republican effort to repeal the Federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) has advanced in the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. The law, which has protected reproductive health clinics and houses of worship from violence and physical blockades since 1994, has been a key target of conservative advocacy groups and lawmakers. On Tuesday, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee voted 13-10, along party lines, to advance the repeal of the law, which now heads to the full House for consideration.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FACE Act, passed in 1994, made it a federal crime to use or threaten force or obstruct people from obtaining or providing reproductive health care, including abortion clinics and crisis pregnancy centers.
  • Since the law's passage, there have been nine murders, 17 attempted murders, 179 incidents of assault or battery against clinic workers, and 41 bombings among other instances of vandalism, arson, and bomb threats at clinics.
  • The National Abortion Federation has reported a decrease in clinic violence since the FACE Act's enforcement began, with Julie Gonen, chief legal officer, stating that "it is an effective and important tool to keep abortion providers and their patients safe."
  • Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Maryland, spoke out against the repeal, saying, "They're essentially putting the statute into an administrative straitjacket so MAGA in Congress can give it the legislative guillotine."
  • Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, introduced House Bill 589, which would repeal the FACE Act, citing concerns about overcriminalization and the Biden administration's alleged "weaponization" of the law against anti-abortion protesters.
  • The law has also been disparagingly referenced as a "tool kit based on forgiving the unforgivable and criminalizing our reverence for life" by Rep. Harriet Hageman, a cosponsor of the bill and one of two Republican women on the House committee.

Statistics:

  • Since 1994, the National Abortion Federation has reported 175 incidents of violence against clinic workers, including 9 murders, 17 attempted murders, 179 incidents of assault or battery, and 41 bombings.
  • Between 1977 and 2009, the National Abortion Federation counted an increase in clinic violence, with 9 murders, 17 attempted murders, and 179 incidents of assault or battery.
  • The Biden administration has issued federal pardons to at least 23 people convicted of violating the FACE Act.

Sources:

  • Congress.gov: [https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/636/all-actions?overview=closed#tabs](https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/636/all-actions?overview=closed#tabs)
  • NPR: [https://www.npr.org/2025/03/09/g-s1-52616/abortion-face-act-access-enforcement](https://www.npr.org/2025/03/09/g-s1-52616/abortion-face-act-access-enforcement)
  • Reuters: [https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/paulette-harlow-convicted-blocking-abortion-clinic-not-praying-2024-06-11/](https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/paulette-harlow-convicted-blocking-abortion-clinic-not-praying-2024-06-11/)
  • Georgia Recorder: [https://georgiarecorder.com/2023/07/21/national-abortion-ban-eyed-as-group-marks-siege-of-atlanta-protests-35-years-ago/](https://georgiarecorder.com/2023/07/21/national-abortion-ban-eyed-as-group-marks-siege-of-atlanta-protests-35-years-ago/)

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