Even before the Supreme Court released its decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, legislators began efforts to limit the pro-life message of pregnancy resource centers.
On June 23, Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, joined by Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and others, introduced the Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation Act.
The bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to issue rules prohibiting a “person from advertising with the use of misleading statements related to the provision of abortion services.” It also gives the FTC power to issue hefty fines and sue pregnancy resource centers — also known as crisis pregnancy centers — in court.
A similar effort is underway in the House of Representatives.
Warren said crisis pregnancy centers “mislead women about reproductive health care” and engage in “deceptive practices.”
Defending the work
Advocates for PRCs immediately took to social media to defend the help they provide to pregnant women.
“Our center helps women find jobs, child care, has paid rent and given vehicles to women in need,” tweeted one.
“The pregnancy care center in our town is a beacon of light,” tweeted another.
“Crisis pregnancy centers provide free care for women, food, clothes and whatever help is needed for their families,” another tweeted. “They do that so that women don’t feel forced by circumstances to abort a baby they would otherwise keep. Don’t attack them. They are integral to many communities.”
By most estimates, there are at least three PRCs in the U.S. for every one abortion clinic.
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