Mississippi Senator Joins Effort to Protect Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) cosponsored a bill to enhance security for pro-life pregnancy centers and to protect staff and patients from potential violence and extremism.
According to a press release from Smith, the Pregnancy Center Security Act (S.565) would create a grant program for pregnancy-help organizations to implement security upgrades, including the installation of security cameras and systems. It was introduced Tuesday by U.S. Senator James Risch (R-Idaho), with Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) as additional cosponsors.
“Pregnancy centers offer hope and support for women, girls, and their unborn children. It’s offensive for these facilities to be threatened by violence and vandalism, and I fully support this legislation to help protect them and the good work they are doing,” said Hyde-Smith, chair of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus. “Their protection represents a new responsibility in a post-Roe America as more pregnancy centers are established across the country to support mothers and their babies.”
“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 Risch. “While the fight for life is far from over, the Pregnancy Center Security Act is a step in the right direction to ensure those on the frontlines protecting life are safe.”
The United States has experienced a dangerous uptick in violence against pro-life pregnancy centers, organizations, and churches following the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
The Pregnancy Center Security Act would:
1. 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.
2. Ensure organizations that perform, assist, counsel, prescribe, refer to an abortion provider, or encourage abortion do not receive federal funds.
Heartbeat International, Students for Life Action, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, CatholicVote, SBA Pro-Life America, and Family Research Council support the measure. Read their endorsements here.
Hyde-Smith on Tuesday addressed pro-life issues in the aftermath of the Dobbs decision during testimony at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the Equal Rights Amendment.
