Resolution follows violence, vandalism, and intimidation tactics by abortion activists nationwide
WASHINGTON, May 12, 2022 — 40 Republican Members of Congress led by House Republican Conference Vice Chairman Mike Johnson (LA-04) today introduced a congressional resolution condemning the intimidation tactics used by pro-abortion activists.
The resolution follows a recent nationwide spate of violence, property damage, threats, trespassing, and church service disruptions by radical pro-abortion activists in the wake of a leaked draft Supreme Court opinion indicating the Court may be prepared to overturn Roe v. Wade.
“The possibility that individual states may again be allowed to prohibit the killing of unborn children has, of course, sent the Democrat Party and other radical pro-abortion activists off the deep end,” Johnson said. “As the White House continues to equivocate, this resolution makes the position of Congress crystal clear: violence, property damage, threats, and intimidation tactics must be condemned, and these blatant violations of federal and state laws must be prosecuted.”
Text of the resolution:
Whereas the Supreme Court of the United States is charged with guarding, interpreting, and applying the Constitution and ensuring the American people are afforded equal and impartial justice under the law;
Whereas the Court’s power of judicial review is a necessary check to ensure that each branch of government does not exceed its authority under the Constitution;
Whereas our constitutional system and the rule of law rely upon the independence of judges who are not subject to the whims of public opinion or the political process;
Whereas the recent leak of a draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization constitutes a grave breach of judicial ethics and a blatant attack on the independence of the Court;
Whereas following the leak of the draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, churches and the headquarters of a pro-life organization were firebombed and vandalized, and activists sought to intimidate Justices of the Supreme Court by protesting outside their homes; and
Whereas Federal law (18 U.S.C. 1507) provides: ‘‘Whoever, with the intent of interfering with, obstructing, or impeding the administration of justice, or with the intent of influencing any judge, juror, witness, or court officer, in the discharge of his duty, pickets or parades in or near a building housing a court of the United States, or in or near a building or residence occupied or used by such judge, juror, witness, or court officer, or with such intent uses any sound-truck or similar device or resorts to any other demonstration in or near any such building or residence, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.’’: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the House of Representatives—
(1) condemns the unauthorized leak of the draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and the ensuing violence, damage to property, and attempted intimidation of Justices of the Supreme Court by proabortion activists;
(2) expresses deep concern regarding the erosion of Americans’ faith in our institutions;
(3) unwaveringly supports the notion that the judiciary must remain free from political interference and insulated from public opinion so that it may ensure every American is afforded equal and impartial justice under the law; and
(4) calls upon the Department of Justice to enforce section 1507 of title 18, United States Code, with respect to protests outside of the homes of sitting Supreme Court Justices.
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House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (NY) and Representatives Buddy Carter (GA), Greg Murphy (NC), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA), John Moolenaar (MI), Jody Hice (GA), William Timmons (SC), Ralph Norman (SC), Steven Palazzo (MS), Mary Miller (IL), Warren Davidson (OH), Garret Graves (LA), Darrell Issa (CA), Paul Gosar (AZ), Lisa McClain (MI), Neal Dunn (FL), Bob Gibbs (OH), Louie Gohmert (TX), David McKinley (WV), Vern Buchanan (FL), Beth Van Duyne (TX), Michael Waltz (FL), Burgess Owens (UT), Dan Bishop (NC), Bob Good (VA), Bill Johnson (OH), Adrian Smith (NE), Brad Wenstrup (OH), August Pfluger (TX), Chris Stewart (UT), Jodey Arrington (TX), Michael Guest (MS), Jack Bergman (MI), Bill Posey (FL), Billy Long (MO), Brett Guthrie (KY), Tom McClintock (CA), Markwayne Mullin (OK), Lee Zeldin (NY), Troy Balderson (OH), Michael Cloud (TX), Brian Babin (TX), Nancy Mace (SC), and Tom Cole (OK) joined Congressman Johnson in sponsoring the resolution.