Several liberal politicians are lashing out at crisis pregnancy centers following the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade.
U.S. Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bob Menendez are leading a coalition of pro-abortion politicians in pledging to “crack down on false advertising” from pro-life pregnancy resource centers by limiting what they can say about abortion.
The legislation comes as President Joe Biden is expected to act to make abortion available with an executive order. The move would most likely be unconstitutional as the Supreme Court’s ruling found that Roe wrongly denied states the ability to regulate the medical procedure.
The senators introduced a bill that directs the Federal Trade Commission to issue rules prohibiting a “person from advertising with the use of misleading statements related to the provision of abortion services.” It also gives the FTC power to issue hefty fines and sue pregnancy resource centers in court.
“It’s more important than ever to crack down on so-called ‘crisis pregnancy centers’ that mislead women about reproductive health care,” Warren said. “I’m working in the Senate to stop these deceptive practices and ensure every American can access the abortion care they need.”
Democrat Senator Elizabeth Warren: “We need to put a stop” to crisis pregnancy centers “right now.” pic.twitter.com/PzhBe21AGk
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 6, 2022
The bill erroneously claims crisis pregnancy centers “routinely engage in a variety of deceptive tactics,” including making false claims about the risks of abortion. The centers prevent people from accessing reproductive health care and intentionally delay access to time-sensitive abortion services, the bill says. It says crisis pregnancy centers outnumbered abortion clinics three to one in 2020.
Daniel Darling, director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, called the bill “shameful.” “Pregnancy Centers are staffed by some of the best people in the country, serving women in crisis,” he said. “This by Warren will only encourage the vandalism and attacks on PRCs.”
Shameful. Pregnancy Centers are staffed by some of the best people in the country, serving women in crisis. This by Warren will only encourage the vandalism and attacks on PRC's. https://t.co/hZhjGEAlMQ
— Daniel Darling (@dandarling) June 29, 2022
Actress Patricia Heaton also criticized the bill.
“Our medical pregnancy clinic serves client families for five years, providing superior services for anyone who asks,” she said. “We raised $250K for a mobile medical clinic for underserved areas, treating everyone. Because of people like @SenWarren, we now have to hire armed security.”
Our medical pregnancy clinic serves client families for five years, providing superior services for anyone who asks. We raised $250K for a mobile medical clinic for underserved areas, treating everyone. Because of people like @SenWarren we now have to hire armed security. https://t.co/1cKPoeEU1I
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) June 29, 2022
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice