Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of pro-life pregnancy centers in the case of National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) v. Becerra.
“Today’s historic ruling by the Supreme Court emphatically defends the freedom of speech by preventing the government from forcing pro-life pregnancy centers to promote abortion,” said Congressman Huizenga. “Our basic freedoms and founding principles were established to protect us from this exact sort of government intimidation. This is an important victory for religious liberty, the freedom of speech, and the rights of all Americans guaranteed under the Constitution.”
Background
In January of this year, Congressman Huizenga joined with 143 other members of Congress to file an Amicus brief in support of NIFLA's case. Then in March, Congressman Huizenga gave an impassioned speech in support of the freedom of conscience as well as pregnancy resource centers and the important role they play in West Michigan and communities across the nation.
Mr. Speaker, there are three critical foundations of which our nation was built upon: The Freedom of Speech, the Freedom of Conscience, and the Right to Life. Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence and who was our third President, said, “No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority.” What he means by civil authority is government.
I stand here today in the well of the House chamber as America’s freedom of conscience and our right to life is once again under attack. The law at issue in California is a classic example of government using its power to force its citizens to promote messages that conflict with their personal beliefs.
Pro-life Pregnancy Centers are a valuable asset to women, to men, to the families, and certainly to babies, around the country and in Michigan. These centers provide – at no charge – practical resources, information, and emotional support for expecting mothers, fathers, and families in need. As leaders in this nation, we should be offering support, resources, and praises for their efforts – not forcefully targeting pregnancy resources centers with unconstitutional government mandates.
The Federal government should never force or attempt to coerce medical professionals, employers, or resource centers to perform or promote abortions against their beliefs. Our basic freedoms and founding principles were established to protect us from this exact sort of intimidation.
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