The Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act, or H.R. 6945, is a proposed law that aims to help pregnant women and families by allowing states to use existing welfare funds to support pregnancy centers. These centers offer resources like diapers, baby clothes, and counseling to families in need. The bill seeks to clarify how states can use these funds, especially in areas where abortion access has become more restricted.
What This Bill Does
H.R. 6945 makes changes to the Social Security Act, specifically allowing states to use Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to support pregnancy centers. These centers are organizations that provide support to pregnant women and families, offering services like pregnancy testing, prenatal education, and material support such as diapers and baby clothes. The bill clarifies that states can use TANF funds for these centers without fear of federal audits or restrictions.
The bill defines a pregnancy center as any organization that supports the life of the mother and unborn child and offers resources to families. This change ensures that states can direct TANF funds to these centers, even if previous interpretations of the law suggested otherwise.
By making these changes, the bill aims to provide more support for pregnant women who choose to carry their pregnancies to term, especially in states where abortion access has been reduced. It allows states to use existing TANF funds, which total over $16.5 billion annually, to support these centers without requiring additional spending.
Why It Matters
This bill could have a significant impact on pregnant and parenting women, especially those with low incomes. By allowing TANF funds to be used for pregnancy centers, the bill aims to provide essential support to families who might otherwise struggle to afford basic necessities for their children. This could help reduce the number of poverty-driven abortions and promote family stability.
For everyday Americans, this means that taxpayer-funded welfare could shift from direct cash assistance to providing material support through pregnancy centers. This could benefit families who need immediate help with baby supplies but might also reduce the amount of cash assistance available for other needs like groceries.
The bill also affects states, particularly those with restrictive abortion laws. In these areas, the demand for non-abortion alternatives has increased, and this bill could help meet that demand by supporting centers that provide prenatal education and counseling.
Key Facts
- Cost/Budget Impact: The bill relies on existing TANF funds, with no new spending required.
- Timeline for Implementation: If enacted, the provisions would take effect immediately upon signing.
- Number of People Affected: Primarily impacts low-income pregnant women and families eligible for TANF.
- Key Dates: Introduced on January 6, 2026; reported from Ways & Means on January 14, 2026.
- State-Level Precedents: Over 20 states already fund pregnancy centers through TANF or state budgets.
- Historical Context: Post-Dobbs, demand for pregnancy centers has increased due to reduced abortion access in many states.
- Current Status: Pending in the Rules Committee, with a low likelihood of passage due to partisan divides.
Arguments in Support
- Empowers states to support pregnant women: By clarifying the use of TANF funds, states can address the needs of women choosing to carry pregnancies to term without fear of federal audits.
- Reduces abortion rates and promotes family stability: Pregnancy centers provide essential support like diapers and counseling, helping low-income families avoid poverty-driven abortions.
- Supports pro-life choices without new spending: The bill uses existing TANF funds, aiding women in states where abortion access has decreased.
- Enhances father involvement: By including services for fathers, the bill addresses the importance of father involvement in reducing child poverty.
- Real-world impact: In Texas, TANF-funded centers helped over 10,000 women in 2023, correlating with a decline in abortion rates.
Arguments in Opposition
- Funds centers that may provide misleading information: Critics argue that many pregnancy centers are faith-based and may not provide comprehensive reproductive options.
- Diverts funds from core anti-poverty programs: Redirecting TANF funds to pregnancy centers could reduce cash assistance available for other needs.
- Endangers women's health: By steering women away from abortion care, the bill could worsen health outcomes in states with restrictive abortion laws.
- Violates TANF's original intent: Opponents argue that TANF was designed to promote work and self-sufficiency, not to support pregnancy-specific ideologies.
- Real-world concerns: In Indiana, a similar TANF experiment led to lawsuits over coercive counseling practices at pregnancy centers.