[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 11, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H169-H178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS CONDEMNING THE RECENT ATTACKS ON PRO-
                 LIFE FACILITIES, GROUPS, AND CHURCHES

  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 5, I call up 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 3) expressing the sense of 
Congress condemning the recent attacks on pro-life facilities, groups, 
and churches, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 5, the 
concurrent resolution is considered read.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                             H. Con. Res. 3

       Whereas since the May 2, 2022, leak of the Supreme Court's 
     draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health 
     Organization, individuals professing anti-life views have 
     targeted, destroyed, or vandalized numerous pro-life 
     facilities, groups, and even churches to further their 
     radical cause;
       Whereas, on June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court issued a final 
     decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, 
     which upheld Mississippi's pro-life law and overturned Roe v. 
     Wade and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. 
     Casey;
       Whereas, following the leak of the draft Dobbs decision, 
     radical anti-life advocates initiated a pressure campaign 
     designed to influence the Supreme Court's opinion;
       Whereas, following the leak and issuance of the Dobbs 
     decision, radical anti-life advocates have defaced, 
     vandalized, and caused destruction to over 100 pro-life 
     facilities, groups, and churches;
       Whereas, on May 3, 2022, individuals vandalized the Care 
     Net Pregnancy Center in Frederick, Maryland, with pro-
     abortion graffiti, including the messages, ``not real 
     clinic'', ``end forced motherhood'', and ``go to [Planned 
     Parenthood] instead'';
       Whereas, on May 5, 2022, in Portland, Oregon, vandals 
     smashed numerous windows and spray-painted graffiti on the 
     Southeast Portland Pregnancy Resource Center;
       Whereas, on May 7, 2022, activists vandalized a crisis 
     pregnancy center in Denton, Texas, with the radical pro-
     abortion messages ``not a clinic'' and ``forced birth is 
     murder'';
       Whereas, on May 7, 2022, in Fort Collins, Colorado, 
     activists painted ``my body my choice'' on the doors of a 
     Catholic parish;
       Whereas, on May 8, 2022, Mother's Day, individuals 
     attempted to break into the Oregon Right to Life office in 
     Keizer, Oregon, reportedly igniting and throwing 2 Molotov 
     cocktails at the building;
       Whereas, on May 8, 2022, vandals spray-painted pro-abortion 
     messages such as ``Abortion is a right'', ``Fake clinic'', 
     and ``Liars'' on the side of a pro-life pregnancy center in 
     Manassas, Virginia;
       Whereas, on May 8, 2022, a pro-life nonprofit center in 
     Madison, Wisconsin, was set ablaze and vandalized with the 
     words, ``If abortions aren't safe, then you aren't either'';
       Whereas, on May 13, 2022, activists left ``threatening 
     messages'' on the front of the Alpha Pregnancy Center in 
     Reisterstown, Maryland, including the messages, ``if 
     abortions aren't safe, neither are you'', ``you're anti 
     choice not pro life'', ``not a clinic'', and were signed 
     ``Jane's revenge'';
       Whereas, on May 18, 2022, vandals targeted a ``women's 
     faith-based medical clinic'' in Auburn, Alabama, defacing the 
     clinic's sign and staff members' vehicles;
       Whereas, on May 25, 2022, in Lynnwood, Washington, anti-
     life activists smashed windows and vandalized the Next Step 
     Pregnancy Center with the threat, ``if abortion isn't safe, 
     you aren't either'';
       Whereas, on June 2, 2022, Jane's Revenge claimed credit for 
     an attack in which its members broke windows and scrawled 
     messages including ``God loves abortion'' and ``fake clinic'' 
     at Agape Pregnancy Resource Center in Des Moines, Iowa;
       Whereas, on June 3, 2022, the Capitol Hill Crisis Pregnancy 
     Center in Washington, DC, was the target of left-wing 
     abortion extremists who threw red paint on the door, threw 
     eggs at the window, and spray-painted the building with 
     ``Jane Says Revenge'';
       Whereas, on June 6, 2022, in Asheville, North Carolina, 
     vandals broke windows and left graffiti on the Mountain Area 
     Pregnancy Services building, including the messages, ``If 
     abortions aren't safe, neither are you'', ``no forced 
     birth'', and an anarchist symbol;
       Whereas, on June 7, 2022, reports indicate that an 
     ``abortion terrorist group Jane's Revenge'' firebombed the 
     CompassCare pro-life pregnancy center in Amherst, New York;
       Whereas, on June 10, 2022, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
     vandals smashed the windows

[[Page H170]]

     and graffitied the walls of HOPE Pregnancy Center;
       Whereas, on June 19, 2022, in Redford Township, Michigan, 
     individuals smashed the windows of the Pregnancy Counseling 
     Center;
       Whereas, on June 22, 2022, in Jackson, Michigan, vandals 
     graffitied and smashed the windows of the office of Jackson 
     Right to Life;
       Whereas, on June 25, 2022, in Lynchburg, Virginia, anti-
     life activists vandalized the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center;
       Whereas, on June 25, 2022, in Paso Robles, California, 
     vandals broke the windows and spray-painted the walls of Tree 
     of Life Pregnancy Support Center;
       Whereas, on June 25, 2022, radical leftist rioters breached 
     the Arizona State Capitol, forcing legislators to evacuate 
     the building;
       Whereas, on June 25, 2022, in Cortez, Colorado, Heart to 
     Heart Pregnancy Center was defaced with pro-abortion 
     graffiti;
       Whereas, on June 25, 2022, in Longmont, Colorado, vandals 
     graffitied and set fire to the Life Choices Free Pregnancy 
     Services;
       Whereas, on June 26, 2022, in Winter Haven, Florida, anti-
     life activists destroyed security cameras and spray-painted 
     the LifeChoice Pregnancy Center with threatening messages, 
     including ``Your time is up'', ``We're coming for U'', and 
     ``Jane's revenge'';
       Whereas, on July 2, 2022, in Hialeah, Florida, individuals 
     vandalized the Pregnancy Medical Clinics with spray-paint, 
     writing ``If abortions aren't safe neither are you'' on the 
     walls;
       Whereas, on July 7, 2022, activists vandalized 2 pro-life 
     pregnancy centers in Worcester, Massachusetts, hours after 
     the State's Attorney General issued a consumer advisory 
     warning residents about such centers;
       Whereas, between July 8 and 9, 2022, in Bethesda, Maryland, 
     individuals either vandalized or set fire to 3 churches, 
     causing physical damage to the churches and their properties, 
     where 1 church faces approximately $50,000 in damages because 
     of the vandalism;
       Whereas, on July 11, 2022, activists vandalized the pro-
     life Women's New Life Clinic in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, by 
     spray-painting anti-life messages and ``Jane's Revenge'' on 
     its exterior walls;
       Whereas, on August 1, 2022, in St. Paul, Minnesota, vandals 
     broke doors and graffitied a pregnancy center, leaving 
     messages such as ``if abortions aren't safe, neither are 
     you'';
       Whereas, on August 1, 2022, a Douglas County Church in 
     Kansas City was vandalized with messages such as ``protect 
     choice'';
       Whereas, on August 1, 2022, in Lawrence, Kansas, two 
     churches were vandalized with spray painted messages such as 
     ``vote no'', ``protect choice'', and ``no forced birth'' on 
     their properties;
       Whereas, on August 9, 2022, in Pocatello, Idaho, the 
     Compassion and Hope Pregnancy Center was vandalized with 
     messages including, ``forced birth center'', ``God is a 
     woman'', and ``beware'';
       Whereas, on August 15, 2022, in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, a 
     woman was accused of assault after throwing eggs and a dead 
     raccoon at the Northeast Ohio Women's Center;
       Whereas, on August 18, 2022, anti-life extremists 
     vandalized a pregnancy center in western Massachusetts with 
     messages including ``Jane's Revenge'' and ``if abortion isn't 
     safe neither are you'';
       Whereas, on September 16, 2022, in Southfield, Michigan, 
     vandals broke a window and left graffitied messages 
     including, ``Jane was here'' and ``if abortions aren't safe, 
     neither are you'' on a pregnancy counseling center;
       Whereas, on October 8, 2022, security camera footage showed 
     anti-life activists spray-painting the sidewalk of the Church 
     of the Resurrection in Lansing, Michigan, with ``abort the 
     court'' and ``death to Christian nationalism'';
       Whereas the Biden Administration has failed to take action 
     to respond to the radical attacks on pro-life facilities, 
     groups, and churches, or to protect the rights of these 
     organizations; and
       Whereas these attacks on pro-life facilities, groups, and 
     churches have included vandalism, arson, incendiary graffiti, 
     and other damage: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) condemns recent attacks of vandalism, violence, and 
     destruction against pro-life facilities, groups, and 
     churches;
       (2) recognizes the sanctity of life and the important role 
     pro-life facilities, groups, and churches play in supporting 
     pregnant women, infants, and families; and
       (3) calls upon the Biden Administration to use all 
     appropriate law enforcement authorities to uphold public 
     safety and to protect the rights of pro-life facilities, 
     groups, and churches.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The concurrent resolution shall be debatable 
for 1 hour, equally divided and controlled by the majority leader and 
minority leader or their respective designees.
  The gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Jordan) and the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Nadler) each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.


                             General Leave

  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and to insert extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 3.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, the FACE Act prohibits threats of force, obstruction, 
and property damage intended to interfere with reproductive healthcare 
services. Let me just go over that again. It prohibits threats of 
force, obstruction, and property damage intended to interfere with 
reproductive healthcare services.
  The Justice Department has said that this act is not just about 
abortions but applies, as well, as to ``pro-life pregnancy counseling 
services and other pregnancy support facilities providing reproductive 
healthcare.''
  So it applies across the board.
  Here is the problem. On May 8, 2022, Mother's Day, activists targeted 
a pro-life, nonprofit center in Madison, Wisconsin, setting it ablaze 
and vandalizing it with the words, ``If abortions aren't safe then you 
aren't either.''
  On June 3, 2022, leftwing anti-life activists targeted the Capitol 
Hill Crisis Pregnancy Center throwing red paint on the door, eggs at 
the window, and spray painting the window with, ``Jane says revenge.''
  On June 25, 2022, in Longmont, Colorado, vandals graffitied and set 
fire--set fire--to the Life Choices free pregnancy center.
  This has happened dozens and dozens and dozens of times all across 
the country.
  What has the Justice Department done?
  To my knowledge, no one has been prosecuted on the FACE Act--not one 
single person, to my knowledge.
  But, oh, Madam Speaker, if you are a pro-life activist and you are 
praying outside an abortion clinic, like Mark Houck, then guess what 
happens to you?
  The FBI kicks in your door, arrests you, puts you in handcuffs, and 
does it in front of your wife and seven children. That is what happens.
  Madam Speaker, we don't want violence anywhere. As Mr. Cicilline said 
in his 1-minute speech, we don't want any violence anywhere. But let's 
not have this double standard.
  Not to mention this: Think about what happened after the Dobbs 
decision was leaked, the leak draft of that opinion; we had activists 
protesting at every Supreme--well, not every one because only the 
conservative Justices' names were doxed, and information put out there. 
We had protests at their homes. In direct violation of the statute 18 
U.S.C. 1507: You are not supposed to be protesting and interfering when 
a decision is pending in front of a Supreme Court Justice's home.
  This was a direct violation of the statute, and, again, nothing 
happened.
  That situation, as we all know, got real serious. It got real serious 
with the assassination attempt on Justice Kavanaugh.
  So this resolution is straightforward.
  What has happened literally now at hundreds of crisis pregnancy 
centers and churches around the country this past year is just flat-out 
wrong. This is a resolution that says that we appreciate the good work 
that happens at crisis pregnancy centers where they take in women and 
where they help them and help that unborn child and make sure that that 
unborn child gets to experience the gift of life.
  The sanctity of life is what this is all about.
  I commend my colleague and friend, Mr. Johnson, from the great State 
of Louisiana for this resolution and the people across the country who 
volunteer and who work every day at these centers to help these ladies 
who are in a tough situation.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to this woefully incomplete 
resolution.
  I will begin by saying that I condemn violence in all its forms, 
including the threats, vandalism, and property destruction described in 
H. Con. Res. 3. I would also like to reiterate my condemnation of the 
attempted murder of Supreme Court Justice Brett

[[Page H171]]

Kavanaugh. That should go without saying.
  I am grateful that no one appears to have been physically injured in 
the vandalism incidents described in the resolution, and that law 
enforcement took Justice Kavanaugh's would-be assassin into custody 
before he could complete an act of violence.
  In a democracy, violence is never the answer in a political dispute, 
and it should be roundly condemned in all its forms.
  This resolution, however, is a transparent partisan ploy that is a 
woefully and unacceptably inadequate condemnation of violence. It comes 
in the context of extremist MAGA Republicans' effort to enact a total 
ban on abortion at both the State and Federal levels. In what appears 
to be a glaring omission to H. Con. Res. 3, my Republican colleagues 
refused to condemn the long, documented history of violence, murder, 
and mayhem perpetrated by anti-abortion extremists against abortion 
providers and their patients.
  According to the National Abortion Federation, since 1977 anti-
abortion extremists have been responsible for 11 murders, 42 bombings, 
196 arsons, 491 assaults, and thousands of incidents of criminal 
activities directed at patients, providers, and volunteers.

  Sadly, these incidents have increased dramatically in recent years. 
In 2021, abortion providers faced a 600 percent increase in stalking 
incidents, a 450 percent increase in clinic blockades, a 163 percent 
increase in reports of hoax devices or suspicious packages, a 129 
percent increase in invasions, and a 128 percent increase in assault 
and battery compared to previous years.
  In some cases, violence against abortion providers has had deadly 
consequences. For example, in November 2015 a gunman murdered three 
people and injured nine others when he opened fire with an assault-
style rifle at a Planned Parenthood health center in Colorado Springs.
  In January 2021, a gunman attacked a Planned Parenthood clinic in 
Knoxville, Tennessee, and later that year, the same clinic was burned 
to the ground by arsonists.
  Regardless of your position on abortion rights, Madam Speaker, it is 
important that we condemn all acts of violence, regardless of who is 
the ultimate target. I am concerned that by refusing to condemn 
violence against providers, this resolution will inadvertently send a 
signal to anti-abortion extremists that violence against abortion 
providers is justified by the vandalism described in the resolution.
  If this inadequate resolution could potentially fan the flames of 
political discord, what purpose then does it serve?
  The only purpose I can infer is that it is intended to placate the 
extreme elements of the anti-abortion movement while this Republican 
majority figures out how to pass a total nationwide ban on abortion.

                              {time}  1245

  Let me be clear: Democrats stand with the majority of the American 
public and will oppose such a radical position.
  H. Con. Res. 3 is nothing more than a partisan political ploy 
designed to advance an extreme anti-abortion agenda and is not a 
serious effort to condemn political violence. Indeed, it may have the 
opposite effect on the American public because it purposely fails to 
condemn the thousands of threats, violent incidents, and attacks that 
abortion providers and patients have endured for decades at the hands 
of anti-abortion extremists.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no,'' and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  What purpose? It says it right in the title: ``Expressing the sense 
of Congress condemning the recent attacks on pro-life facilities, 
groups, and churches.''
  Over 100 churches and pro-life facilities have been attacked in the 
last 7 months. That is all this resolution does.
  Republicans condemn violence every time it happens. We condemn it 
when it happens to abortion clinics. We condemn it when it happens to 
churches. We condemn it when it happens to pro-life centers. We 
condemned it when it happened in the summer of 2020 all over the 
country. We condemned it when it happened on January 6. We condemn it 
every single time.
  This is just highlighting what has happened in the last 7 months with 
churches and pro-life centers around the country. It is that simple. 
This should be unanimous.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. 
Johnson), my friend and the sponsor of this great legislation.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in 
favor of my commonsense legislation, H. Con. Res. 3. I am really proud 
that this bill has been included among our very first bills that will 
pass in this Congress.
  For Chairman Nadler, or Ranking Member Nadler now, I am happy to say, 
to stand here and suggest that this does not fulfill the will of the 
American people or is somehow not the right thing to do is absurd.
  This resolution is very simple, and its language is clear. It 
condemns the attacks that have been committed against pro-life 
facilities, groups, and churches in the wake of the leak of the Dobbs 
opinion and the subsequent decision. It also calls upon the Biden 
administration to take action now to bring the perpetrators to justice.
  Who could be opposed to that?
  In recent years, there has been an alarming trend of more and more 
attacks on pro-life organizations and individuals. In the wake of the 
Dobbs decision, the problem became much worse. We have seen a 
significant increase in targeted violence against places and people who 
provide care for pregnant women and their unborn children.
  Here are just a few of the more than 100 incidents that have taken 
place just in the last several months:
  May 5, last year, a Catholic church and school in Armada, Michigan, 
was vandalized with satanic symbols and messages calling for the death 
of Republicans.
  May 8, the Oregon Right to Life office was firebombed.
  May 26, seven high school students in New Jersey were suspended after 
physically assaulting another student holding a pro-life sign.
  June 26, a pro-abortion extremist was charged with attempted murder 
in Los Angeles.
  July 7, Sacramento, a pregnancy care center was threatened by a man 
with a machete.
  September 24, in Lake Odessa, Michigan, an elderly pro-life volunteer 
was shot while canvassing door to door to discuss an abortion ballot 
proposal.
  January of this year, just several days ago, a pro-life billboard was 
defaced with the words ``kill them kids'' in Portland, Oregon.
  This last one that I wanted to mention is personal to me. On July 11, 
pro-abortion activists vandalized the Women's New Life Clinic in Baton 
Rouge, Louisiana. They spray-painted anti-life messages on the walls. 
Being located right next to the abortion provider in Baton Rouge at the 
time, the largest in our State, this clinic has offered hope to 
countless pregnant women by counseling them on all of their options and 
not pushing them to abort their unborn children, as the clinics do.
  I am proud to call many of the leaders of that clinic in Baton Rouge 
personal friends. We have to stand for them and stand against violence, 
vandalism, personal threats, and intimidation.
  Nationwide, there are over 2,700 pregnancy care centers providing 
essential services in all 50 States. They serve millions of women every 
year. They have over 10,000 medical professionals supporting them. They 
do not deserve the treatment they have endured, and they certainly 
deserve that this Congress condemn the violence committed against them.
  Since there has been so little accountability for the leaked draft 
Dobbs opinion and the ensuing violence and intimidation against pro-
lifers that have followed, we are making the position of Congress clear 
today. We condemn violence, property damage, threats, and intimidation 
tactics, and these clear violations of Federal and State laws must be 
prosecuted.
  We have the opportunity before us today to start to push back against 
the mob that has targeted the groups and individuals that care for 
women and their unborn children. Republicans are ready to act. I am so 
proud that over

[[Page H172]]

100--I think nearly 130--Republicans so far have cosponsored this.
  It will pass, and it should, and it will be a shame if our Democratic 
colleagues do not join us in this condemnation of violence. The 
question is, will they?
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the 
resolution.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, the resolution condemns violence at pro-
life clinics but not at pro-choice clinics. That says it all.

  Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Cohen), a member of the Judiciary Committee.
  Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, first, I would like to note what is 
profound hypocrisy going on in this Chamber.
  Last week, we heard from the Republicans about the importance of an 
open process and the ability to offer amendments on all bills or 
resolutions, but there were no hearings on this resolution, no markups, 
and amendments are prohibited.
  If they were allowed, we could have discussed, and Mr. Jordan could 
have made his statement that he believes the Justice Department says 
this would affect all types of facilities, but we didn't have that, so 
it is not here.
  Every Democrat, and I hope every Republican, rejects and condemns 
political violence. We settle our disagreements at the ballot box and 
through the rule of law, not by violent actions.
  Republicans say this resolution is about condemning violence and 
enforcement of laws, yet it only condemns those of their favorite 
organizations and facilities, the pro-life crowd.
  They should be aghast that they don't include the murders of the 11 
people killed at abortion care providers since 1993:
  Dr. George Tiller, killed entering his church in Wichita, Kansas, 
shot in the back;
  David Gunn, shot in the head at his clinic in Pensacola, Florida;
  Just this past New Year's in Knoxville, a Planned Parenthood clinic 
was destroyed by arson.
  Sadly, there are too many property crimes at Planned Parenthood and 
other facilities that help people with abortion needs to mention. None 
are mentioned. We should condemn all murders and serious violence.
  This House did not hear from Republicans condemning the violence of 
January 6 when this Chamber was under attack, and we should do that in 
all cases.
  They are trying to undermine and obstruct the Department of Justice, 
as well. This is just some of the other hypocrisy. They are having a 
committee to look into the attacks on America from the FBI, the Justice 
Department, and other security services. Those are law enforcement. 
That is defunding Federal law enforcement, and it is wrong. We should 
support all law enforcement and fund all of it and its activities.
  If you want to know about the Republicans, you ask them about the 
bill on the IRS. If they wanted to help the middle class, they would 
have brought a resolution to direct the IRS to do more audits, or even 
all of its audits, on people earning over $1 million and save the 
middle class and get the money where it is. They did not.
  We should listen to what they do, not what they say. I will vote 
``no.''
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I point out to my friend from Tennessee that it is not that I believe 
the DOJ has the ability to use the FACE Act to prosecute people who 
vandalize and attack crisis pregnancy centers; they have said it. The 
Department of Justice says they can do that. I am just asking why they 
haven't.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. 
Carl), my good friend.
  Mr. CARL. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Louisiana (Mr. 
Johnson) for his leadership on all of these pro-life issues.
  Madam Speaker, in the wake of the Dobbs decision, pro-abortion 
radicals have waged horrific attacks on our pro-life community.
  Pro-life institutions are on the front line of meeting the needs of 
women, youth, and, yes, men. They provide critical services and support 
and have saved so many lives. Nobody should be in fear for their safety 
when seeking medical care and spiritual support.
  This body has an opportunity to express its unwavering support for 
women and families across America and condemn this violence by voting 
for this act.
  I am proud to be part of this effort. Madam Speaker, I encourage my 
colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote ``yes'' on this 
resolution.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), a member of the Judiciary 
Committee.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, this is a solemn moment. I join my 
fellow colleagues, the women of the Democratic Caucus, to stand here 
because we stand in the name of those who have died: 11 murders, 42 
bombings, 196 arsons, 491 assaults, and thousands of incidents of 
criminal activity directed at our doctors, our nurses, and our 
patients.
  After COVID-19, America woke up to the vitality and the necessity of 
our medical professionals, but I come here today to express my concern. 
I wish my friend from Louisiana had worked with my side of the aisle so 
that we would acknowledge that there has been loss of life of innocent 
persons who simply were providing medical care.
  Dr. David Gunn was shot and killed by an opponent of abortion during 
a protest. A former pastor kills a doctor and clinic volunteer. George 
Tiller, twice a target, is killed.
  This legislation is an extreme initiative because it is not here to 
acknowledge the solemnity of which we stand, first to recognize the 
constitutional right of a woman, her doctor, and her faith to be able 
to make a decision without fear and intimidation.
  In a State like mine, we have vigilantism because it has passed 
legislation for bounty hunters to come back again from the 1800s to 
intimidate doctors, nurses, and patients.
  This is a day that we must stand against. If we are to work together 
in this solemn moment, we must recognize all the doctors, nurses, and 
patients that have been intimidated.
  The National Abortion Federation, in 2021, indicated that there has 
been an increase in violence. The significant increases in stalking, 
600 percent; blockades, 450 percent; hoax devices/suspicious packages, 
163 percent; invasions, 129 percent; and assault and battery, 128 
percent.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to oppose this legislation. Maybe 
we can, in solemnity, work together on this serious issue.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H. Res. 3, a concurrent 
resolution that expresses the sense of Congress condemning the recent 
attacks on pro-life facilities, groups, and churches.
  It is critically important that we opposed the Republican effort to 
rewrite history in a way that demonizes the victims and glorifies the 
aggressors.
  Each American has the right to make their own healthcare decisions 
according to their own beliefs values, and conscience.
  Republicans hope to strip women of their constitutional right of 
autonomy over their own body and their right to make their own 
healthcare decisions.
  In Texas, Republicans have incentivized vigilantism and stalking by 
passing a law that provides civilians a cause of action against anyone 
who performs or aids an abortion and provides for a $10,000 cash reward 
if successful.
  This resolution ignores the long-documented history of violence 
against abortion providers, their staff, and their patients and 
attempts to rewrite the facts.
  According to Bloomberg, a survey of 390 clinics showed that assaults 
on abortion providers surged 128 percent in 2021 with reports of 
kicking, slapping and being pepper sprayed.
  The National Abortion Federation 2021 Violence & Disruption Report, 
found a massive increase in violence and disruption against abortion 
providers.
  The most significant increases were in stalking (600 percent), 
blockades (450 percent), hoax devices/suspicious packages (163 
percent), invasions (129 percent), and assault and battery (128 
percent) compared to 2020.
  Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a nonprofit 
that tracks political violence and demonstrations, asserts that anti-
government militias and extremist groups like the Proud Boys appearance 
at abortion related events spiked 160 percent in 2021, compared to the 
previous year.
  Further, in 2020, far-right groups appeared at only 1 percent of 
demonstrations related to abortion rights; in 2022, almost one in five 
events involved members of a far-right group.

[[Page H173]]

  This violence, harassment, and cyberbullying against those who seek 
abortions, their providers, and supporters is unconscionable.
  The American public made it clear last November that they want 
Congress to protect reproductive freedom.
  We stand with all women, and staunchly reject the misinformation in 
this bill and its attempt to cover up the attacks on basic human 
dignity and constitutional rights.
  I urge all my colleagues to oppose this outrageous and dangerous 
resolution.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman 
from Ohio (Mr. Wenstrup).
  Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
resolution, which condemns the wave of attacks on pro-life groups and 
facilities.
  As a Nation, we are blessed to have a nationwide network of faithful, 
dedicated pro-life pregnancy centers that provide care for pregnant 
women and their babies.
  Women deserve to be offered the full range of health support that can 
help them in their time of need. Pro-life pregnancy centers do exactly 
that, offering a compassionate support system for pregnant women.
  Shamefully, since the Dobbs decision was rendered, these pregnancy 
centers have been under attack by radical abortion activists. We have 
seen horrific displays of vandalism, threats, and intimidation directed 
at pro-life groups and facilities for the simple fact that they support 
life and serve to help pregnant mothers in need.
  No one is forced to receive care at a pregnancy center, yet we see 
people committing violence on pregnancy centers. Why? Are they angry 
that so many choose to not terminate the life of their own baby and let 
their child live, like all of your mothers did, rather than violently 
terminate the life of their own baby?
  Madam Speaker, I ask Congress to stand together and strongly condemn 
this violence by passing this resolution.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson Coleman).
  Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise because I am appalled that 
this is how my Republican colleagues have chosen to start this 
majority.
  It appears that actually legislating is too great a challenge for my 
colleagues, who have no apparent plan to address the real issues facing 
our country, including the rising tide of violent extremism.
  H. Con. Res. 3 condemns violence against anti-abortion organizations. 
It says nothing about the violence against abortion providers that has 
gone largely unaddressed for nearly 50 years. Last year, I supported 
legislation that offered real solutions to rising violence against 
abortion providers.
  Madam Speaker, I would be happy to work with my colleagues on fixing 
H. Con. Res. 3 to actually acknowledge the rising violence, but I 
cannot and will not support it in its current form, and I encourage my 
colleagues to vote ``no.''
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Tiffany).
  Mr. TIFFANY. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution 
before us here.
  Last year, a draft Supreme Court opinion was leaked to the media in 
one of the biggest scandals to ever hit the Nation's highest court. It 
reestablished the authority of States to prohibit the killing of unborn 
children, sending the Democratic Party and other leftwing extremists 
off the deep end.
  The liberal brush fire that ignited after the opinion was leaked 
wasn't contained to just Washington. Pregnancy centers and pro-life 
organizations across the country soon became the target of their rage.

                              {time}  1300

  The chairman said it very well in his opening comments when he cited 
the situation in Madison, Wisconsin: ``If abortions aren't safe then 
you aren't either.'' That is what it says right here.
  Following the attack, a radical pro-abortion group known as Jane's 
Revenge took credit, proudly proclaiming ``this was only a warning'' 
and ``next time the infrastructure of the enslavers will not survive.''
  Leftwing extremists have shown us time and time again--first, during 
the summer of 2020 when they burned American businesses to the ground 
and then by firebombing pregnancy centers in 2022--that they will 
resort to violence and destruction when they do not get their way.
  Unfortunately, there has been very little accountability for the 
leaked draft opinion.
  This resolution makes it clear that violence needs to stop.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), the ranking member of the 
Appropriations Committee.
  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the 
dangerous measures that House Republicans are bringing to a vote in 
this Chamber as part of their ongoing efforts to end a woman's right to 
choose and inserting politics unnecessarily and wrongly into the 
doctor-patient relationship, denying abortion care to women, 
stigmatizing women who get abortions, and putting at risk the doctors 
who simply are doing their jobs by caring for them. All while ignoring 
the threats that abortion providers and patients face daily.
  The American people sent a clear message during the midterms: 
Politicians have no place in our personal medical decisions.
  House Republicans refuse to listen. Instead of protecting and 
expanding reproductive healthcare and women's rights, they are making 
it their first order of business to use their power to control women's 
bodies and their future.
  I condemn violence in all of its forms. This resolution condemns only 
some violence and very intentionally omits violence like the murder of 
health professionals, against abortion providers, patients and their 
families. Maybe they don't regard murder as violence.
  This comes at the same time as women's rights are under attack. This 
nonbinding resolution is meant to only divide and distract and will do 
nothing to actually reduce violence.
  I urge my colleagues to oppose these biased bills and continue to 
stand up and speak out for what is right.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Mississippi (Mr. Guest).
  Mr. GUEST. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution 
condemning the recent attacks on pro-life groups, facilities, and 
churches.
  Last summer, in a landmark decision, the United States Supreme Court 
ruled in favor of my home State of Mississippi in returning decisions 
on protecting life to the States.
  Unfortunately, the leak of the Dobbs decision led to instances of 
extremism committed against churches, pro-life institutions, and crisis 
pregnancy centers.
  Sadly, my home State was not spared. Mississippi has a robust network 
of crisis pregnancy centers that provide care and resources to 
expectant mothers.
  I, and many of my Republican colleagues, have called on the Biden 
administration to address these criminal acts and hold accountable 
those who committed these offenses. To date, no action has been taken.
  I am hopeful that this legislation will move the administration to 
act, and I am grateful that the Republican majority is standing with 
those impacted by last year's extremist acts.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici).
  Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I strongly oppose violence and 
destruction of property regardless of venue.
  The resolution on the floor today, however, is a distraction from the 
real issue regarding crisis pregnancy centers, which is that they 
regularly provide inaccurate, incomplete, and injurious information to 
people who are seeking guidance and fact-based healthcare.
  Crisis pregnancy centers often engage in deceptive advertising to get 
people in the door, and then they mislead them about the services they 
provide.
  A crisis pregnancy center in Texas, for example, was caught telling 
people that abortions cause mental illness and implied that abortions 
cause cancer

[[Page H174]]

and infertility. I heard from someone who visited a crisis pregnancy 
center, and after she left she started getting calls from strangers who 
were told about her visit. Another woman was shown an ultrasound 
picture of her kidney and was told it was a baby.
  This deception is unconscionable, which is why I will soon introduce 
the Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation Act to direct the Federal Trade 
Commission to issue rules prohibiting unfair or deceptive advertising 
of abortion services.
  At a time when reproductive rights are under attack, it is especially 
important for anyone seeking abortion care to be able to find a real 
healthcare provider they can trust who will respect their bodily 
autonomy and their privacy.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from the 
great State of Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman).
  Mr. GROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, one of the scary, ongoing stories over 
the last few years, more typical of an atheistic totalitarian regime 
than our wonderful constitutional Republic, has been a tax on pregnancy 
counseling centers.
  They are hated because they try to persuade women to keep their 
babies, and they articulate how precious life is in the womb, which is 
considered to be dangerous speech to those who desperately want to 
legalize 8-month abortions.
  Some of these attacks, like those in other venues by antifa and Black 
Lives Matter have become more physical in nature.

  The lack of urgency by law enforcement to protect the speech of those 
who want women to keep their children is dangerous. This effort to 
muzzle those who express a wide variety of conservative Christian 
viewpoints has become more and more common and should scare anyone who 
does not want to live in a religiously hostile, large government State.
  Please vote for H. Con. Res. 3.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez), the ranking member of the 
Small Business Committee.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H. Con. 
Res. 3.
  This resolution is further proof of my colleagues' hypocrisy and 
their obsession with controlling a woman's inherent right to bodily 
autonomy.
  This resolution ignores the long-documented history of violence 
against abortion providers, their staff, and their patients.
  Violence is what Amanda Eid from Texas suffered when doctors could 
not induce labor after her amniotic fluid was leaking. Her doctors were 
prohibited from providing the treatment she urgently needed because of 
Texas' anti-abortion laws. Amanda's life will forever be changed, and 
that is the real violence.
  The American people are overwhelmingly in support of protecting 
reproductive freedom. Women and the American people across this Nation 
have spoken loud and clear. They do not want the government interfering 
with their reproductive healthcare.
  On behalf of all women in my district and across this country, I 
oppose this extreme resolution.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Smith), a pro-life leader and good friend.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, two women spoke at a 
pregnancy care center dinner I attended in New Jersey.
  Both women were effusive in their thanks that the director had 
approached them in absolute kindness and empathy as they were literally 
walking from the parking lot to an abortion clinic. They changed their 
minds and were helped through their pregnancies and after the birth of 
their children, as well.
  Later in the program, two young, teenaged girls spoke of the sanctity 
of life and the good work of the pregnancy care center. In a very 
dramatic moment from the podium--because they were standing side by 
side--they turned to the director, thanked her, and said that had she 
not reached out to their moms that day and followed up with such love 
and compassion, both of them would have been dead.
  Pregnancy care centers across the country have suffered a surge of 
violent attacks, firebombing and vandalism by pro-abortion activists in 
a coordinated effort to intimidate frontline volunteers and licensed 
medical professionals providing critical support to mothers in need and 
their unborn baby girls and boys.
  Now more than ever the Biden administration and law enforcement needs 
to enforce the law.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Lois Frankel).
  Ms. LOIS FRANKEL of Florida. Madam Speaker, my, my, my, here we go 
again.
  First off, let's all condemn the violence on the streets of our 
country.
  This resolution is a political ploy and a distraction from the 
violence that abortion providers and patients face every day.
  Bombings, murder, arson; let's condemn these, too.
  Madam Speaker, women across our country are being denied lifesaving 
care, and healthcare providers are being punished for doing their jobs.
  Women deserve access to all forms of health services, including 
abortion and the freedom to make decisions about their health and their 
lives and their future without interference of politicians.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this resolution which 
sidetracks us from the real danger women and healthcare providers are 
facing today: The Republican agenda.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Rose).
  Mr. ROSE. Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of H.Con.Res 3 and 
urge my colleagues to vote in favor of its passage.
  In June of last year, following the decision by the Supreme Court to 
overturn Roe v. Wade, a pro-life pregnancy center that assists pregnant 
women in Nashville, Tennessee, was the victim of an attempted arson 
attack. Thankfully, no one was injured, and local law enforcement 
opened an investigation into the situation in an effort to bring the 
perpetrators to justice.
  Unfortunately, that is not the case across the entire United States, 
which is why it is essential that this body, the United States House of 
Representatives, condemns these heinous acts of political violence.
  I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation and will 
always and forever stand on the right side of history when it comes to 
protecting the unborn.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Chu).
  Ms. CHU. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the bill before us 
today.
  While I strongly condemn violence and vandalism in any form, the bill 
before us neglects to address the real crisis facing Americans today, 
which is the loss of reproductive rights for millions of Americans in 
the blink of an eye since the Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade 
last summer.
  Madam Speaker, 8 in 10 Americans support the legal right to abortion, 
something that has been seen over and over again in poll after poll, in 
election after election. This resolution is an attempt to muddy the 
waters and distract the public from the fact that those on the other 
side of the aisle support a national abortion ban, regardless of which 
State you live in.

  In fact, it was abortion providers who faced significant increases in 
stalking, invasions, and assault and battery as a result of the Dobbs 
decision.
  I cannot support this resolution, which conveniently leaves out the 
majority of the victims of this type of political violence. I urge my 
colleagues to vote ``no.''
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Bishop).
  Mr. BISHOP of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, attacks on churches and 
pro-life pregnancy centers are unconscionable and un-American.
  Thugs elevate their extreme political ideology over the most basic 
gift from God: Life. This phenomenon is fed from here.
  We all recall Senator Schumer's threat to Supreme Court Justices that 
they ``will pay the price.'' Now we see the price: firebombing pro-life 
pregnancy centers and assassination attempts.

[[Page H175]]

  In my own State there is rhetoric amid the broken windows, red paint, 
and anarchist symbols. ``If abortions aren't safe, neither are you.'' 
That sentence is repeated over and over across this country. That is a 
threat. This is the death cult's echo of the KKK's burning cross on the 
lawn; brazen, violent intimidation. The Federal Government responded to 
the KKK.
  Where is the Biden Justice Department amid this violent campaign of 
national scope?
  Mr. President, it is time for action. Do your duty.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to direct their remarks 
to the Chair.
  Mr. NADLER. I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

                              {time}  1315

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy 
in permitting me to speak on these resolutions. This is a poll-tested 
focus group effort to change the subject.
  We all know that attacking facilities or not providing healthcare to 
an infant is already illegal. This is a veiled attempt at distracting 
from the real consequences of the Dobbs decision.
  People have had their rights taken away and can no longer receive the 
care they wish. When we see doctors consulting their lawyers when 
patients are dying on operating tables because they are afraid of 
abortion bans, voting on this resolution is an embarrassment.
  It is unconscionable that when people are living in fear, even dying 
because they are denied healthcare, the House is ignoring this in favor 
of a political stunt.
  I stand with the American public and in opposition to this 
legislation.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Georgia (Mrs. Greene).
  Mrs. GREENE of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this 
resolution.
  Being a mother is the greatest gift in the world, and childbirth is a 
true miracle of God.
  In 2019, pregnancy centers served roughly 2 million women, men, and 
youth. They provided services such as medical care, education, 
mentoring, and material support like diapers, car seats, and clothing.
  From 2016 through 2020, pro-life pregnancy centers partnered with 
pregnant women at risk for abortion to save over 800,000 lives. 
Approximately 75 percent of women at risk for abortion who view an 
ultrasound of their baby in the womb at a pregnancy center ultimately 
make the choice to continue their pregnancy.
  Merrick Garland calls parents who want to protect their kids from 
sexual indoctrination in schools domestic terrorists but refuses to 
protect facilities that help pregnant women carry their babies from 
being attacked by far-left extremists.
  Since the Dobbs decision was leaked in May 2022 alone, approximately 
40 churches and 60 pro-life pregnancy centers have been firebombed and 
vandalized across the country by pro-murder extremists. The costs of 
damages for each attack range from less than $100 to more than 
$250,000. Shameful.
  Some of the things they have said--they have spray-painted on a 
church in Lansing, Michigan, ``abort the court'' and ``death to 
Christian nationalism.'' Death for Christians that care about our 
country? I don't think so.
  They also caused $50,000 in damages in Bethesda, Maryland, setting 
fire to three churches. It is shameful.
  Jane's Revenge, which is a terrorist group, said: ``If abortion isn't 
safe neither are you.''
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this 
resolution.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Texas (Mrs. Fletcher).
  Mrs. FLETCHER. Madam Speaker, I join my Democratic colleagues in 
opposing, on the strongest terms, all forms of political violence.
  That is something that this resolution fails to do. This resolution 
fails to acknowledge decades of well-documented violence against 
reproductive healthcare providers in this country. In failing to do so, 
it fails us all.
  I have seen that violence firsthand. More than 30 years ago, when I 
was a teenager, I stood in defense of our local Planned Parenthood as 
anti-abortion protesters tried to chain themselves to the doors to 
prevent women from going in not only to get abortion care but to get 
their Pap smears, their birth control, HIV tests, and other services. A 
few years later, a well-known anti-abortion activist drove a van 
through the same door of that same Planned Parenthood.
  Like I said, I welcome the opportunity to vote on legislation that 
condemns all forms of political violence, but the resolution's 
purposeful omission of abortion providers and patients, and what that 
suggests, is why I am voting ``no'' today, and I urge my colleagues to 
do the same.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I am against all forms of violence, 
including violence against any one of the majority of Americans who 
support abortion rights.
  The statistics are absolutely clear. Since 1977, there have been 11 
murders, 42 bombings, 196 arsons, 491 assaults, and thousands more 
illegal attacks on people who support abortion rights.
  Let's include everyone in here when we talk about no more violence. 
We have to make sure that people who are pro-life and people who 
support abortion rights--and we support life--are included in opposing 
violence.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).
  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, as co-chair of the Pro-Choice 
Caucus, I rise in opposition to H. Con. Res. 3.
  Of course, we condemn all political violence, whether it is aimed at 
those we agree with or disagree with.
  These acts are all unacceptable, full stop. Hate speech quickly 
becomes hate violence. In a democracy, violence is particularly awful 
when it is designed to silence or intimidate.
  Where were my colleagues every single time a doctor, a patient, a 
nurse, or a security officer was threatened, assaulted, or murdered 
just for providing, accessing, and safeguarding reproductive 
healthcare?
  Congresswoman DeGette, Congresswoman Pressley, and I have drafted a 
resolution that condemns all attacks upon healthcare facilities, 
healthcare personnel, and patients.
  Every act of hate-fueled violence is worthy of condemnation, 
including those against Planned Parenthood clinics, abortion providers 
and patients, and other care providers.
  We stand with survivors of those attacks. We condemn all of them, and 
our GOP colleagues should do so, as well.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Walberg).
  Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 
3, which condemns the epidemic of attacks on pro-life and faith-based 
organizations.
  Unfortunately, Michigan's Fifth District has not escaped these 
attacks. Last June, Jane's Revenge vandals graffitied and smashed the 
windows of Jackson, Michigan's Right to Life and my own office. It was 
a despicable act. The Jane's Revenge perpetrator, who has yet to be 
caught, even accidentally graffitied a neighbor's house, as well.
  Yet, this darkness presented an opportunity to show the best of our 
community. Volunteers from the community came out to clean up the 
broken glass and help board up the windows.
  In contrast to this positivity displayed by everyday Americans, and 
despite congressional efforts we have spearheaded, President Biden's 
Justice Department has stayed silent on these acts of domestic 
terrorism.
  Today, congressional Democrats have an opportunity to right the 
wrongs of this administration and join us in condemning these acts of 
violence as we condemn all acts of violence, as well.
  Volunteers at pregnancy centers who remain committed to their 
convictions and efforts understand they have a target on their backs. 
These volunteers are individuals spending their time and their money to 
clothe, feed, provide

[[Page H176]]

shelter, and minister to women in crisis.
  Is this the progressive America my colleagues talk about? I think 
not. Does their idea of progress consist of political violence 
targeting those who provide services to women and families? Are 
intimidation and violence acceptable to the Biden administration and my 
colleagues on the other side of the aisle? I hope not.
  Madam Speaker, I strongly urge support for this resolution for the 
benefit of lives, security, and decency in our country.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, it is time for our Republican 
colleagues to stop playing politics with women's bodies.
  With the fall of Roe, the criminalization of abortion access 
nationwide with no exceptions is well underway.
  Just last year in my home State of Florida, Governor DeSantis signed 
a 15-week abortion ban into law that offers no exceptions for rape, 
incest, or human trafficking, and more restrictive policies are coming.
  Other States are even more restrictive, and the bill and resolution 
before us will further erode women's reproductive rights. These 
measures incentivize violence by failing to condemn a history of 
violence against abortion providers and patients.
  While millions of Americans will lose under these measures, its 
harshest impacts land on single, working, and women of color.
  A lack of access to safe abortions not only deprives a woman of the 
basic right to control her own body, but it also stifles her future 
economic, educational, and family planning opportunities. It basically 
hands her body, life, and future over to the State.
  These horrific anti-abortion measures are a revolting assault on 
women's rights, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on both 
measures.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Frost), for whom I think this is his first 
speech on the floor.
  Mr. FROST. Madam Speaker, we heard the word ``shameful'' a lot during 
this debate, but what is really shameful is the fact that my Democratic 
colleagues and I are willing to both say we condemn all violence and 
also put it on paper.
  With my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, all we hear is 
talk. They are not willing to condemn all violence in this resolution.
  It is a one-sided resolution meant to fan the flames of anti-abortion 
and anti-freedom sentiment in this country.
  See, my district in central Florida sees these sentiments in action 
as our Governor has passed an abortion ban and looks to go even 
further.
  As someone whose birth mother made the brave and difficult decision 
to put me up for adoption, I recognize that that decision was deeply 
personal and can often mark one of the most vulnerable points in a 
person's life. No one should take advantage of that, and the Federal 
Government should actually protect it.
  I will continue to fight for civil rights, personal freedom, and 
bodily autonomy of women and childbearing adults in this country, and I 
hope the rest of this Chamber will join me in voting ``no.''
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. DeGette).
  Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, if my Republican colleagues want to 
condemn the growing level of political violence in this country, let's 
do it together.
  That is not what this resolution does. What it does is it goes to 
great lengths to condemn attacks against anti-choice groups, and it 
says nothing about the growing threat of violence targeting women's 
health clinics across the United States.
  It doesn't condemn the numerous bullets that have been fired at 
healthcare clinics throughout the country.
  It doesn't condemn the bricks that have crashed through windows at 
providers' offices or the assaults, kidnappings, and even the murders 
of doctors and healthcare personnel.

  It doesn't condemn the arsons, bombings, death threats, or any one of 
the more than 7,000 acts of violence that have been reported against 
these facilities.
  By ignoring these acts of violence, Republicans are sending a very 
dangerous message that will only embolden the extremists behind them.
  Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a resolution that 
Congresswomen Lee and Pressley and I have introduced to condemn all 
acts of political violence, regardless of their target or intent, and I 
urge my colleagues to support it instead.
       Whereas workplace violence ranges from threats and verbal 
     abuse to physical assaults and homicide;
       Whereas, for decades, health care personnel for women and 
     people who access reproductive health care services have been 
     subjected to intimidation, threats, and violence;
       Whereas between 1977 and 2015--
       (1) nearly 7,000 violent acts were reported against 
     providers at health centers for women, including bombings, 
     arsons, death threats, kidnappings, and assaults; and
       (2) more than 190,000 acts of disruption, including bomb 
     threats and harassing calls, were reported;
       Whereas, between 1993 and 2015, there were 11 murders, 
     numerous attempted murders, 42 bombings, and 186 arsons 
     targeted at individuals and facilities associated with care 
     provided at health centers for women;
       Whereas between 1993 and 2015, the 11 victims of anti-
     choice violence include Dr. David Gunn of Pensacola, Florida, 
     in 1993; Dr. John Bayard Britton and a volunteer, James 
     Barrett, both of Pensacola, Florida, in 1994; clinic 
     receptionists Shannon Lowney and Leanne Nichols, both of 
     Brookline, Massachusetts, in 1994; Dr. Barnett Slepian of 
     Buffalo, New York, in 1998; clinic securitv guard Robert 
     Sanderson of Birmingham, Alabama, in 1998; Dr. George Tiller 
     of Wichita, Kansas, in 2009; and police officer Garrett 
     Swasey, Ke'Arre Stewart, and Jennifer Markovsky, all of whom 
     were lost during a violent attack at a Planned Parenthood 
     clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 2015;
       Whereas, in 2016, two defendants vandalized a Baltimore, 
     Maryland, area abortion clinic on two separate occasions, 
     with one defendant pleading guilty and the other convicted at 
     trial of Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act 
     violations;
       Whereas, in 2017, a defendant sent several threatening 
     emails to abortion clinics located in Chicago, Illinois, and 
     Hammond, Indiana, and the defendant pled guilty to FACE Act 
     and other Federal offenses;
       Whereas, in 2018, a defendant directed a threatening social 
     media post to Planned Parenthood facilities and staff and 
     defendant pled guilty to Federal offenses, including a FACE 
     Act charge;
       Whereas, in 2019, a defendant was indicted for FACE Act 
     violations and other Federal offenses related to a 2015 
     shooting at a Planned Parenthood facility in Colorado 
     Springs, Colorado, where he shot at several civilians and 
     police officers, killing two civilians and one officer, while 
     injuring several others;
       Whereas, in 2020, a defendant pled guiltv to FACE Act 
     related offenses in connection with a bomb threat call the 
     defendant made to a Jacksonville, Florida, abortion clinic;
       Whereas, in 2021, a defendant pled guilty to a FACE Act 
     violation and other State felony offenses for throwing a 
     Molotov cocktail at a Fort Myers, Florida, abortion clinic;
       Whereas, in 2022, a defendant was indicted for FACE Act 
     violations after he assaulted a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
     area Planned Parenthood clinic escort twice on the same date, 
     with one assault resulting in bodily injury; and
       Whereas extreme rhetoric continues to fuel a hate-filled 
     climate that is dangerous for individuals who provide or 
     access comprehensive health care services: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) condemns all acts of political violence;
       (2) condemns attacks on health care facilities, health care 
     personnel, and patients;
       (3) affirms that all people have the freedom to access 
     reproductive health care services and medical advice without 
     fear of violence, intimidation, or harassment; and
       (4) calls upon the Biden administration to use all 
     appropriate authorities to uphold public safety, to protect 
     health care facilities, and safeguard health care personnel 
     and patients.

                              {time}  1330

  Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, the resolved part of our resolution says 
this, and I think all of my colleagues should be able to join this.
  Resolved, that the U.S. House of Representatives condemns all acts of 
political violence; 2, condemns attacks on healthcare facilities, 
healthcare personnel, and patients; and 3, affirms that all people have 
the freedom to access reproductive healthcare services

[[Page H177]]

and medical advice without fear of violence, intimidation, or 
harassment.
  Isn't that what this is all about in this country, fear from 
violence? No violence, everybody gets the healthcare services they want 
and they deserve without fear of being killed.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman 
from Colorado (Mr. Buck).
  Mr. BUCK. Madam Speaker, I agree with my friend from Colorado that we 
should condemn all violence. We should condemn violence to unborn 
children, also, but that doesn't seem to be something that is shared on 
the other side of aisle.
  One of the pregnancy centers that was targeted last year was Life 
Choices Pregnancy Medical Center located in my home State and at the 
time in my district in Colorado. On June 25 at 3:17 a.m., first 
responders responded to a fire at the pregnancy center. The fire was 
the result of angry protestors acting out after the Supreme Court's 
Dobbs decision. Not much was salvageable from the fire, but what 
remained were hateful and extreme messages graffitied on the exterior 
of the building.
  Kathy Roberts, the executive director of Life Choices, is here today 
to commemorate passage of this resolution. I am honored to have Kathy 
here and to introduce this brave and dedicated woman.
  I thank Kathy for being here.
  Sadly, our Nation has become all too familiar with the violent 
attacks on pro-life centers. In 2022, over 100 pro-life centers were 
violently attacked, and there has been minimal accountability. Instead 
of Democrats accepting the Supreme Court Dobbs decision and condemning 
this violence, they have egged it on, including some who told pro-
abortion protestors to rise up and commended their violence by stating 
it was a way for individuals to channel their righteous anger into 
meaningful action.
  Our Nation is a Nation of law and order, and violence is never the 
path we should pursue to create effective change.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Massachusetts (Ms. Pressley).
  Ms. PRESSLEY. Madam Speaker, as chair of the Abortion Rights and 
Access Task Force, I rise to make plain exactly what is going on here. 
This is not a debate about political violence. Political violence and 
the violent rhetoric that drives it is a persistent threat; my staff, 
my family, and I know that intimately. Everyone should condemn it.
  Our colleagues across the aisle continue to say the quiet part out 
loud in their selective contempt for political violence.
  This resolution seeks to deny necessary medical care from those who 
seek it. Abortion is healthcare and a fundamental human right.
  Across the Nation, those seeking care are met with intimidation, 
violence, and even loss of life. Imagine walking through a screaming 
crowd to get to a medical appointment. Imagine being a doctor or a 
nurse dedicating your life to helping others, and day after day your 
workplace receives violent threats, and you fear for your life.
  But that is not what the other side of the aisle is concerned about. 
No, today, they are seeking to mislead the American people. They are 
trying to conjure up hateful rhetoric, spreading misinformation about 
crisis pregnancy centers.
  Let me make it plain. Crisis pregnancy centers are no place to go for 
reproductive healthcare. They are sham clinics that coerce folks 
seeking to terminate a pregnancy or to access the full range of 
reproductive health services.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman from Massachusetts.
  Ms. PRESSLEY. Madam Speaker, to those pressing these divisive anti-
choice resolutions, we see right through you.
  Madam Speaker, abortion is healthcare and a fundamental human right, 
and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Missouri (Mrs. Wagner).
  Mrs. WAGNER. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague, the 
chairman of the Judiciary Committee, for his strong defense of life, 
for the precious unborn, and for promoting a culture of life at all 
times.
  I stand, Madam Speaker, in support of H. Con. Res. 3, expressing the 
sense of Congress condemning the recent attacks on pro-life facilities, 
groups, and churches.
  There have been now nearly 100 recorded acts of violence and 
intimidation against pro-life individuals and organizations by radical 
pro-abortion activists since the initial leak of the draft Supreme 
Court Dobbs opinion.
  Following the leak and issuance of the Supreme Court's decision in 
Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, anti-life fanatics have 
targeted, destroyed, or vandalized, as I said, over 100 pro-life 
facilities, groups, and churches to further their radical cause.
  Pro-life pregnancy centers nationwide play a critical and important 
role in supporting and assisting pregnant women, their children, and 
their families.
  Because the Biden Justice Department refuses to protect these vital 
resource centers, Congress must be clear in condemning the violence 
against pro-life facilities.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to stand against violence 
and to support H. Con. Res. 3.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for 
closing.

  Madam Speaker, if House Republicans were serious about condemning 
violence surrounding the debate on abortion, the resolution would be 
clear in condemning all acts of violence, lest we give tacit 
acquiescence to extremist anti-abortion violence and against abortion 
providers. This resolution does not do that at all.
  Undoubtedly, my Republican colleagues will attempt to portray any 
opposition to this partisan resolution as proof of Democrats' so-called 
extreme position on abortion, but the American public is not so easily 
fooled.
  They will recognize this resolution for what it is, a transparent 
political exercise intended to lay the groundwork for MAGA Republicans' 
plans for a total nationwide ban on abortion.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to vote ``no,'' and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for 
closing.
  Madam Speaker, I just want to read what the resolution says: That 
Congress condemns recent attacks, over 100 of them in the last 7 
months, on pro-life pregnancy centers and churches; condemns recent 
attacks of vandalism, violence, and destruction against pro-life 
facilities, groups, and churches.
  Second, it recognizes the sanctity of life, the important role pro-
life facilities, groups, and churches play in supporting pregnant 
women, infants, and families.
  Three, it calls upon the Biden administration to use all appropriate 
law enforcement authorities to uphold public safety and protect the 
rights of pro-life facilities, groups, and churches.
  That is all it says. This is as apple pie as it gets. The hundreds of 
churches and crisis pregnancy centers that have been attacked in the 
last 7 months, this resolution says: Biden administration, use the FACE 
Act, which you have said applies not just to pro-abortion clinics but 
also to pro-life crisis pregnancy centers, use that to make sure we can 
stop this stuff from happening in the future.
  We condemn all violence every time it happens. Here is what is 
interesting: The violence that has been cited by the other side against 
abortion clinics and people associated with them, guess what? Those 
individuals were prosecuted, and we support that.
  What we want to know is why. With over 100 attacks, why hasn't the 
Justice Department, to my knowledge, used the FACE Act to prosecute 
anybody? Why?
  They say there is no political nature at the Justice Department now; 
there is no weaponization. Really? Because it sure looks like there is 
a conflict here. Sure looks like there is a double standard here. This 
resolution is as basic as it gets.
  Madam Speaker, I urge support, hope this thing passes unanimously, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.

[[Page H178]]

  Pursuant to House Resolution 5, the previous question is ordered on 
the resolution.
  The question is on adoption of the concurrent resolution.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this question are postponed.

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