PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Laid on the table. See S. 636 for further action.
Congressional Research Service
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Nov 18, 1993
Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit: (1) intentionally injuring, intimidating, or interfering with any person by force, threat of force, or physical obstruction because that person or any other person or class of persons is obtaining or providing reproductive health services; or (2) intentionally damaging or destroying the property of a facility because that facility provides reproductive health services. Subjects violators to specified penalties (including up to life imprisonment if death results) or civil remedies, except that a parent or legal guardian or a minor shall not be subject to such a penalty or remedy insofar as such activities are directed exclusively at that minor. Authorizes civil actions by aggrieved persons, the Attorney General, and State attorneys general for violations. Specifies that in any such action: (1) the court may award appropriate relief (including temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunctive relief) and compensatory and punitive damages for each person aggrieved by the violation; and (2) with respect to compensatory damages, the aggrieved person may elect, at any time before the rendering of final judgment, to recover an award of statutory damages in the amount of $5,000 per violation in lieu of actual damages. Authorizes the court to award reasonable fees for attorneys and expert witnesses to the prevailing party, other than the United States. Specifies that: (1) nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct (including peaceful picketing or other peaceful demonstration) protected from legal prohibition by the first amendment or interfere with the authority of States to enforce State or local laws regulating the provision of reproductive health services; and (2) the Congress does not intend this Act to provide the exclusive remedies with respect to the conduct prohibited by it, nor to preempt State legislation that may provide such remedies.
People & committees
Rep. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY-9] · D–NY
Legislative record
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Laid on the table. See S. 636 for further action.
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 316.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by voice vote.
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by voice vote.
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 182 - 246 (Roll no. 582).
House roll call 582 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions.
Mr. Sensenbrenner moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary.
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
The previous question was ordered without objection.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 796.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 313, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with thirty minutes of debate.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 313, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with ten minutes of debate.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 313, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the Delay amendment.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 313, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McCollum amendment.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Michael J. Kopetski to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 313 and Rule XXIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 796 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill. All points of order against the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute are waived. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 313. (consideration: CR H10074-10109)
Rule H. Res. 313 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 313 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 796 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill. All points of order against the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute are waived. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 160.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 103-306.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 103-306.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended).
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime and Criminal Justice.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E307)
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jan 2, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.796 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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