The U.S. Supreme Court announced March 20 as its date to hear oral arguments in National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) v. Becerra. A case both sides of the abortion divide agree is the Court’s most significant of 2018, NIFLA v. Becerra challenges a 2015 state law in California forcing over 100 privately funded pro-life pregnancy help medical clinics that offer free ultrasounds to post signage directing their clients to a taxpayer-funded abortion program through Medi-Cal.
The clinics—which are state-licensed, but receive no taxpayer funding—argue that the state’s so-called “Reproductive FACT Act” co-opts and overrides their right to free speech as guaranteed by the First Amendment. With lead plaintiff NIFLA joined by co-counsel Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the pro-life organizations are now gearing up for their day at the nation’s High Court. Groups representing pro-life, Christian and free speech constituencies—plus 22 states and 144 members of the U.S. Congress—have filed amicus briefs in support of NIFLA.
“NIFLA looks forward to prosecuting our case against the state of California to enjoin its horrendous violation of the free speech rights of pro-life pregnancy centers,” Thomas Glessner, J.D., NIFLA president and founder, said. “This law compels pro-life centers to violate their consciences and promote abortion. As such it cannot and will not stand.”
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