Urge Congress to enact the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE).

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kathy Chism

Mississippi Senate Resolution 27 urges Congress to repeal the federal FACE Act by enacting and signing H.R. 589 and S. 223.

Died In Committee

#rules

1) Purpose and intent

Purpose: Call upon the United States Congress to pass and the President to sign into law bills H.R. 589 and S. 223, which would repeal the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act (18 U.S.C. § 248).

Additional aim: Commend President Donald J. Trump for issuing presidential pardons to 23 individuals convicted under the FACE Act.

Framing: The resolution argues that the FACE Act has been weaponized and used to prosecute pro-life individuals, while alleging insufficient protection for pregnancy centers and churches; it thus advocates repeal.

2) Key provisions and changes proposed

Repeal target: FACE Act (federal statute prohibiting interference with access to clinics that provide reproductive health services, including abortion facilities and pregnancy resource centers).

Specific federal bills named:

H.R. 589 (House)
S. 223 (Senate)

Action urged: Enactment and signing of these bills to repeal the FACE Act.

Presidential action urged: Speedy signing by the President if enacted.

Legislative alignment: The resolution promotes cooperation by Mississippi lawmakers to cosponsor or support the federal repeal effort.

3) Who or what would be affected

Federal level: Repeal of the FACE Act would remove federal prohibitions on certain conduct near reproductive health facility entrances and related protection for clinic access.

Pro-life and pro-choice activities: The resolution argues that current FACE Act enforcement has disproportionately affected pro-life sidewalk counselors and related activists; repeal would shift any enforcement dynamics away from this federal framework.

Pregnancy resource centers, abortion clinics, and churches: The status quo protections would be removed at the federal level if repeal becomes law, though state/local measures could still apply.

Political actors: The resolution explicitly endorses President Trump’s pardons related to FACE Act convictions; it also seeks support from Mississippi’s federal delegation (sens. Wicker and other listed members) for the repeal.

4) Procedural and timeline aspects

Status in Mississippi: Died in Committee (Action History shows “Died In Committee” after being referred to Rules; initial referral date 2026-01-29 and final status 2026-04-15).

Procedural note: As a Senate resolution, it is a statement of opinion and request to federal lawmakers rather than a bill with direct legislative effect in Mississippi.

Timeline relevance: The resolution highlights ongoing federal legislative activity (H.R. 589 and S. 223) and timed commendations (presidential pardons issued in January 2025), but carries no immediate state-imposed deadlines.

5) Notable context and framing

The resolution cites various sources to describe alleged abuses of the FACE Act and contrasts federal enforcement with perceived lack of protection for pro-life institutions.

It uses advocacy language in support of repealing FACE Act and applauds presidential clemency for individuals convicted under FACE Act.

It requests outreach to federal and state lawmakers, urging collaboration with Mississippi’s congressional delegation.

If you’d like, I can compare this resolution to the text of H.R. 589 and S. 223 to highlight exact statutory differences and potential implications if repeal were enacted.

Bill