Last week, Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the House Pro-Life Caucus, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), and 30 other members of Congress filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court. The brief supports pro-life pregnancy centers in New Jersey that allege they have been unfairly targeted by state officials. The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in December for the case First Choice Women’s Resource Centers v. Platkin.
Rep. Smith stated, “Pregnancy care centers are on the front lines of providing compassionate care to mothers and their precious children—offering free support and resources, which can range from pregnancy tests and ultrasounds to parental education programs and lactation consultation and much more.”
He added, “My state’s discrimination against pregnancy centers because they refrain from promoting or participating in the killing of unborn children by abortion is an unconscionable abuse of power. It is utterly shameful that Governor Murphy would go to these lengths to strip women of life-affirming options and support,” Smith said. “We are asking that the Supreme Court send a clear message to New Jersey and other states that this kind of bullying and infringement of constitutionally protected freedoms will be given no sanction.”
Senator Cruz commented, “Fringe progressives are targeting faith-based pregnancy centers with lawsuits and subpoenas, which are meant to harass and intimidate both those who rely on and those who support those centers. These actions are contrary to the Constitution’s protections for religious liberty and due process, and this amicus brief asks the Supreme Court to protect those bedrock principles. Mothers should have every right and protection to choose Life, and I am proud to stand with them.”
First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, a network based in New Jersey, is contesting a subpoena issued by the state Attorney General on grounds it violates their first amendment rights due to their religious mission.
The legal brief submitted by Smith and Cruz was written by Chris Murray from First & Fourteenth law firm. It argues Congress has allowed First Choice direct access to federal courts rather than requiring them first to address claims in state court: “states may not deprive citizens of their right to freely associate and then force those citizens to try to vindicate their rights in hostile state forums before they can darken the door of a federal courthouse.”
Smith has also introduced federal legislation—the Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act of 2025 (HR 2226)—which aims to prevent government discrimination against approximately 2,700 pregnancy care centers nationwide. The bill seeks stronger conscience protections at all levels of government regarding abortion-related requirements.
Other states besides New Jersey have faced similar disputes involving pregnancy centers’ operations or speech about abortion services. For example, investigations into Washington State clinics were overturned after legal challenges; New York’s Attorney General has sued clinics over statements about abortion pill reversal; Colorado’s ban on abortion pill reversal was struck down; a 2019 New York law potentially affecting hiring practices at such clinics remains under court challenge; while in 2018, the Supreme Court invalidated California’s law requiring clinics provide information about abortion services.
Chris Smith currently serves as U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 4th district—a position he has held since replacing Frank Thompson in 1981—and resides in Manchester Township after being born in Rahway in 1953.
https://chrissmith.house.gov
