This week U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) joined a bill led by Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) – the Pregnancy Center Security Act – to enhance security for pro-life pregnancy centers and to protect staff and patients from violence and extremism. The legislation will establish a grant program for pregnancy-help organizations to implement security upgrades, including the installation of security cameras and systems.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the U.S. has seen a dangerous uptick in violence against pro-life pregnancy centers, organizations, and churches. In Pocatello, Idaho, Compassion & Hope Pregnancy Center was vandalized.
“Since the illegal leak of the Dobbs decision last year, radical pro-abortion extremists have ramped up violent attacks on pro-life pregnancy care centers in an attempt to intimidate pro-life workers, volunteers, and the vulnerable women they serve – and the Biden Administration has turned a blind eye,” said Senator Hawley. “It is imperative that we invest in enhanced security for these centers, so they may operate without the constant threat of violence and focus squarely on the life-saving work they do on a daily basis.”
“Under the Biden administration, the fight to protect life has become increasingly dangerous. Pro-life pregnancy centers across the nation, which provide vital resources for women, the unborn, and our communities, have become targets for violent attacks. To ensure these life-saving centers can continue to safely operate, the Pregnancy Center Security Act would create a grant program to enable security upgrades,” said Senator Risch. “While the fight for life is far from over, thePregnancy Center Security Act is a step in the right direction to ensure those on the frontlines protecting life are safe.”
The Pregnancy Center Security Act is also co-sponsored by Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). The legislation has received support from Heartbeat International, Students for Life Action, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, CatholicVote, SBA Pro-Life America, and Family Research Council.
The Pregnancy Center Security Act would:
- Establish a grant program for pregnancy-help organizations to implement security upgrades, including the installation of security cameras and systems, and update facilities for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.
- Ensure organizations that perform, assist, counsel, prescribe, refer to an abortion provider, or encourage abortion do not receive federal funds.