During a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Representative Lance Gooden confronted the Southern Poverty Law Center’s interim president Bryan Fair over its classification of hate groups. Gooden challenged the SPLC’s criteria, specifically raising concerns about whether attacks on pregnancy resource centers and Catholic churches are labeled as hate incidents. The exchange grew heated as Gooden pressed Fair on the organization’s standards, asking, 'Burning pregnancy centers not hate?' The SPLC has faced criticism for its labeling practices, with conservatives arguing that the group applies political bias. Fair defended the SPLC’s methodology, stating that classifications are based on evidence of bigotry or violence. The hearing highlighted ongoing debates over hate speech and political violence in the United States.
