Acquitted pro-life activist Mark Houck announces run for Congress
Mark Houck talks to reporters outside the U.S. District courthouse in Philadelphia with his lawyers, Peter Breen (left), Brian McMonagle (right), and Andrew Bath (background) following his acquittal on two charges of violating the FACE Act, Jan. 30, 2023. | Joe Bukuras/CNA
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Mark Houck, the Pennsylvania pro-life activist and father of seven who was found not guilty in federal court in January for assaulting an abortion clinic escort, announced on Wednesday that he is running for Congress.
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Speaking to CNA Friday, Houck said that his arrest and trial played a part in his decision to run for office.
“I know firsthand what it’s like to be attacked by the federal government. I know firsthand how the enemy of the state can be created by virtue of your faith. And I want to protect the 1st District of Pennsylvania and all families in the 1st District from that ever happening to them,” Houck said.
Houck was referring to his prosecution by the federal government on charges that he violated the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) when, during his work as a sidewalk counselor outside an abortion clinic, he was involved in an altercation with one of the clinic’s escorts.
In the early hours of Sept. 23, 2022, authorities arrived outside the Houck family’s home in Kintnersville in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
On the day of Houck’s arrest, his wife, Ryan-Marie Houck, told CNA that an FBI SWAT team made up of 25 agents and 15 vehicles showed up outside the family’s home “pounding” on the door.
Facing 11 years in prison, Houck was acquitted by a jury after only an hour of deliberation.
Protecting the people of Pennsylvania’s 1st District from what the federal government subjected him to is “the fundamental reason” Houck decided to run.
If elected, Houck expressed his desire to serve on the newly formed Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, chaired by Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan, which investigates “violations of the civil liberties of citizens of the United States.”
“I’d like to get on that committee, and I’d like to be the face that the Democratic Party cannot ignore and the story that cannot be ignored,” Houck said. “My presence in D.C. will maintain that story, and they can’t run from it.”
Houck referred to his campaign’s platform, “Restoring Faith, Family, and Freedom,” and told CNA that as a congressman he would opposed funding of abortion, defend the right to life, improve infrastructure in the district, support seniors and veterans, and limit illegal immigration on the southern border, which he said is a cause of drugs flowing into the country.
On his website, Houck said that he will support legislation that “strengthens the human family” and protect the constitutional rights of Americans.
Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District, which includes Bucks County and Montgomery County in the southeastern part of the state, is currently represented by Republican Brian Fitzpatrick.
CNA reached out to Fitzpatrick’s office for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Joseph Bukuras is a journalist at the Catholic News Agency. Joe has prior experience working in state and federal government, in non-profits, and Catholic education. He has contributed to an array of publications and his reporting has been cited by leading news sources, including the New York Times and the Washington Post. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the Catholic University of America. He is based out of the Boston area.
In CatholicVote's annual HERO OF THE YEAR award, pro-life advocate Mark Houck emerges as a finalist, standing against FBI whistleblower Kyle Seraphin. Houck's journey to this stage has been marked by his unwavering dedication to defending pro-life convictions despite facing severe persecution. In January, Houck was acquitted of violating the FACE Act, a victory overshadowed by the trauma his family endured due to FBI harassment. Undeterred, he announced plans to sue the Department of Justice (DOJ), seeking an end to discrimination against pro-life individuals of faith. Houck's resilience and commitment to justice have earned him recognition as a hero within the Catholic community. He represents the courage to stand firm in one's beliefs, even in the face of adversity. As the voting concluded, Mark Houck emerged as the runner-up in the HERO OF THE YEAR award. Despite not clinching the top spot, his story resonates as a beacon of inspiration for Catholics nationwide, showcasing the resilience and unwavering commitment to defending pro-life convictions in the face of adversity.
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