Chip Roy’s FACE Act repeal clears House panel
The House Judiciary Committee has advanced a bill by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) to repeal the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which aims to protect abortion clinics from harassment and violence. The bill passed with a 13-10 vote along party lines, with only Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) opposing it, though he had left before the final tally.Roy claims that the law has been misused to target pro-life activists while neglecting violence against pregnancy resource centers. He argues for the repeal to prevent the government from weaponizing this law against peaceful advocates.
Democrats, including Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), criticized the repeal, claiming it would endanger patients and providers, and cited increased violence against abortion clinics as justification for the law. Raskin contended that the enforcement of the FACE Act reflects a genuine need for protection due to rising attacks. Anti-abortion supporters have welcomed the Committee’s decision, asserting the law has been politically weaponized, while reproductive rights advocates argue that its repeal would leave patients vulnerable to violence. the debate underscores the contentious divide over abortion rights and related legal protections in the U.S.
Chip Roy’s FACE Act repeal clears House panel
The House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday advanced a bill by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) to repeal the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, setting up a broader Republican push to roll back what conservatives call a politically weaponized law used disproportionately against anti-abortion activists.
The panel approved Roy’s FACE Act Repeal Act in a 13–10 vote along party lines. Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) was the lone Republican to oppose the bill, although he left the hearing before the final tally.
.@chiproytx: “Over the last four years, the Biden-Harris DOJ has shown more interest in catering to the anti-life movement than protecting facilities that support pregnant women in need.”
The FACE Act has been twisted and it’s time to end the weaponization of government against… pic.twitter.com/ACD7hj2Ss7
— SBA Pro-Life America (@sbaprolife) June 10, 2025
“Over the last four years, the Biden-Harris DOJ has shown more interest in catering to the anti-life movement than protecting facilities that support pregnant women in need,” Roy said during the markup. He accused the Justice Department of selectively prosecuting “pro-life grandmothers” for peaceful protests while ignoring violent attacks against churches and pregnancy centers.
Roy cited FOIA data showing 92% of FACE Act prosecutions during the Biden administration targeted anti-abortion demonstrators at abortion clinics, while just 8% involved attacks on pregnancy resource centers. Republicans have also repeatedly cited the 2022 arrest of anti-abortion activist Mark Houck, a Catholic man who was acquitted after a Biden-era raid on his home, as evidence of politicized enforcement.
“Congress must fully repeal the FACE Act to ensure future administrations are unable to weaponize this statute against peaceful advocates,” Roy said.
Democrats blasted the bill as dangerous and rooted in misinformation. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) rebutted Roy’s claims, saying the DOJ’s enforcement reflects real-world trends.
“If more people have been convicted of attacking abortion clinics than pregnancy centers, it’s because vastly more people are attacking abortion clinics,” he said.
Raskin also highlighted recent violence, including a suicide bombing last month at a fertility clinic in California.
“This is why the FACE Act is necessary. Repealing it would be dangerous,” he said, accusing Republicans of “signaling permission for vigilante anti-choice extremists.”
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) was more blunt: “My Republican colleagues do not trust women. That’s what this is entirely about. The only people in America who are asking for this legislation to be repealed are terrorists.”
McClintock, the lone GOP voice against the bill, said he agreed the Biden administration had abused the FACE Act but warned that repeal was the wrong solution.
“Rather than repeal it, I’d prefer we use this experience to revise it to ensure its administration is even-handed in the future,” he said.
Anti-abortion advocates celebrated the committee’s action.
“The FACE Act was twisted into a political weapon,” Students for Life Action President Kristan Hawkins said. “Unless we act now, that can happen again.”
The Center for Reproductive Rights countered that the bill’s repeal would leave patients and providers vulnerable.
“Just last month, a fertility clinic was bombed in California,” the group posted to X. “And yet, Congress is debating a bill that would remove federal protections.”
Just last month, a fertility clinic was bombed in California. And yet, Congress is debating a bill that would REMOVE federal protections for reproductive health clinics and patients.
Urge Members of Congress to VOTE NO on repealing the FACE Act here : https://t.co/fo0w8YhvLF pic.twitter.com/Wm8GAQTWUl
— Center for Reproductive Rights (@ReproRights) June 10, 2025
CRR President Nancy Northup added, “We need to strengthen the FACE Act, certainly not repeal it.”
LAWYERS FOR DC ANTI-ABORTION ACTIVIST APPLAUD CHIP ROY FOR FACE ACT REPEAL BILL
The Trump administration, now in its second term, has already pardoned 23 people previously convicted under the FACE Act.
“Passage of this bill is a crucial and necessary step,” Roy said. “It eliminates the possibility that everyday Americans can face felony convictions for peaceful acts such as sidewalk counseling or singing hymns.”
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