Congressman Cohen Defends Access to Reproductive Health Services at Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing

WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today questioned the premise of a Republican-inspired hearing on efforts to eliminate FACE Act safeguards. In his remarks, Congressman Cohen said recent blockade outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in Memphis, where performing abortions is a felony, "was about intimidation" and denied women access to essential health services and primary care.

The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act has been the law since 1994 and prohibits obstruction of access to reproductive health services facilities.

In his remarks, Congressman Cohen said in part:

"Democrats are fighting to ensure that every American can access high-quality health care, practice their faith freely, and rely on the rule of law. The majority (Republicans), however, seeks to hand individual health care decisions to a handful of radical activists, impose their preferred religious views on everyone else, and give cover to lawbreakers-even violent ones-when it benefits them politically…

"In December, seventeen people were arrested for blocking access to the Planned Parenthood clinic in Memphis-the only one remaining in the area, just blocks from my home. The other clinic had been forced to close because of the Administration's deep Medicaid cuts. These protesters weren't stopping abortions. Abortion in Tennessee is a felony at all stages of pregnancy, with no exceptions for rape or incest. The people entering that clinic were seeking routine, preventive services like blood pressure checks, breast cancer screenings, and STI treatment. It functions like any other doctor's office, accepting insurance and serving patients whose reasons for visiting vary and are private. This wasn't about protecting life-it was about intimidation and imposing one group's beliefs on everyone else…

"Here's the kicker: some of those arrested were anti-choice activists whom President Trump had recently pardoned for earlier FACE Act violations. These individuals had already been convicted of obstructing access to reproductive health care. The FACE Act plays a critical role in protecting the rights of patients and providers. This Administration and the MAGA movement want to dismantle it. Repealing the FACE Act would give political and legal cover to people who believe they can decide who should-and should not-receive health care.

"This is not about religion-and certainly not about religious freedom…Repealing the FACE Act would elevate one narrow set of beliefs at the expense of all others. That is the opposite of religious liberty."

Congressman Cohen said that the Committee should be reviewing President Trump's misuse of the pardon power and unlawful executive orders that overstep Congress' Article 1 authorities.

See his entire remarks here.

Witnesses at today's hearing were:

• Jessica Waters, senior scholar in residence, Justice, Law and Criminology, American University;
• Chris Ferrara, Senior Counsel, Thomas More Society;
• Roger Severino, VP of Economic and Domestic Policy, The Heritage Foundation; and
• Eva Edl, convicted FACE Act defendant

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