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Supreme Court Rules to Protect Pro-Life Free Speech

June 26, 2018

WASHINGTON, DC: On June 26, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) in the case NIFLA v. Becerra. The Court ruled that the State of California cannot compel private pro-life pregnancy centers to advertise abortion services. Congressmen Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) and Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in this case, and released the following statements lauding the Supreme Court's decision:

"The Supreme Court's decision in the NIFLA v. Becerra case is great news for the American people. The government cannot force individuals or private entities to say things they do not believe. California's pro-life pregnancy centers are helping local communities by providing crucial services and supplies at no cost to expectant mothers. The State of California's shameful attempt to compel these centers to advertise abortion services was a gross violation of the First Amendment, and I applaud the Supreme Court's protection of free speech."

- Congressman Andy Harris, M.D.

"The Reproductive FACT Act is an affront to our constitutionally protected freedom of speech. No person or entity can be forced to promote ideas in which they do not believe, but that's exactly what's happening. These pro-life pregnancy centers serve the noble cause of assisting expecting mothers, yet California forces them to advertise for state-subsidized abortions. It's a perfect example of the unapologetic assault on conservative principles by California's liberal state government. I applaud the Supreme Court for making the correct decision and disallowing this outrageous violation of the First Amendment. Even our state's liberal elites cannot bully the Supreme Court. I'd like to thank all of the 144 House and Senate members that signed onto my friend of the Court letter asking the Supreme Court to contemplate and overturn the so-called FACT Act."

- Congressman Doug LaMalfa