Warren, Democrats Pledge to Fine, ‘Crack Down’ on Pro-Life Crisis Pregnancy Centers

BY : Michael Foust | ChristianHeadlines.com Contributor

U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bob Menendez are leading a coalition of pro-choice politicians in pledging to “crack down on false advertising” from pro-life pregnancy resource centers by limiting what they can say about abortion.

Warren (D-Mass.) and Menendez (D-N.J.) introduced the bill alongside Democratic representatives Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.).

“It’s more important than ever to crack down on so-called ‘crisis pregnancy centers’ that mislead women about reproductive health care,” Warren said. “I’m working in the Senate to stop these deceptive practices and ensure every American can access the abortion care they need.”

There are an estimated 2,500 pregnancy resource centers nationwide. Services vary, but they often offer pregnant women financial and material assistance in addition to counseling, pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and parenting classes. The services are free.

The bill claims crisis pregnancy centers “routinely engage in a variety of deceptive tactics,” including “making false claims” about the risks of abortion. The centers “prevent people from accessing reproductive health care and intentionally delay access to time-sensitive abortion services,” the bill says. It claims crisis pregnancy centers outnumbered abortion clinics three to one in 2020.

Pro-lifers, though, say the bill would prevent women from receiving the services they need. Care Net, a pro-life non-profit organization, says its 1,100 affiliates across North America provided more than $62 million in free services in 2018.

“Crisis pregnancy centers give women real choice, offering them resources to choose to continue their pregnancy,” tweeted pro-life writer Bethany Mandel.

Daniel Darling, director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, called the bill “shameful.”

“Pregnancy Centers are staffed by some of the best people in the country, serving women in crisis,” Darling said. “This by Warren will only encourage the vandalism and attacks on PRC’s.”

Actress Patricia Heaton also criticized the bill.

“Our medical pregnancy clinic serves client families for five years, providing superior services for anyone who asks,” Heaton said. “We raised $250K for a mobile medical clinic for underserved areas, treating everyone. Because of people like @SenWarren, we now have to hire armed security.”