The House of Representatives passed two bills on Thursday aimed at supporting women and families who are experiencing unplanned pregnancies. The Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act and The Pregnant Students’ Rights Act would provide protection for women from feeling like they have no choice but to kill their preborn children by abortion.
The Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act, sponsored by Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach, would ensure that pregnancy centers cannot be prevented from receiving funding for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). TANF exists to help underprivileged families to both raise their children in their own homes and reduce the family’s dependence on government assistance. But, said Fischbach, last fall the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Family Assistance, Administration for Children and Families, proposed a rule that would restrict states from using TANF funding for pregnancy centers.
While Fischbach believes reform is needed to ensure TANF dollars are used for the intended goals of TANF, she feels “singling out pregnancy centers” is part of a political agenda.
“This bill should be a no-brainer,” said Fischbach. “Pregnancy centers do not just serve pregnant women, they offer a wide array of services and support for mothers, fathers, and families. Pregnancy centers provide treatment, counseling, ultrasounds, parenting and prenatal education, diapers, baby clothes, referrals for housing and transportation, and so much more.”
She added, “Nobody here is surprised to know that this Administration prefers facilities that provide abortions up to the point of birth over pregnancy centers that support women who are choosing life. And we know many of our Democrat colleagues would like to see government funding be steered toward such facilities. But to blatantly block funding for centers that provide support for women and children illustrates Democrats’ anti-women, pro-abortion agenda.”
The Pregnant Students’ Rights Act
The Pregnant Students’ Rights Act would require each institution of higher education that participates in federal student aid programs to provide certain information to prospective and enrolled students on the rights of pregnant students.
That information must include a list of community and on-campus resources to help pregnant students throughout pregnancy as well as after the baby is born. It also must include information about the accommodations available to help pregnant students carry to term and parent their child, along with information on how to file a discrimination complaint if the pregnant student is discriminated against as related to the pregnancy.
“Pregnant women on college campuses should never be pressured into having an abortion,” said the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Ashley Hinson. “They should be surrounded with support and empowered to continue their education and their pregnancy. … [I] find it sad that Democrats are so dug in on the pro-abortion agenda that they would oppose providing pregnant women on college campuses with resources and information about available protections….”
Senator Marco Rubio has introduced similar pregnant students’ rights legislation in the Senate.
