Last week, as thousands of Americans gathered to celebrate life and march for the unborn, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass two pieces of pro-life legislation.
The first, introduced by Rep. Fischbach (R-Minn.), was the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act (H.R. 6945). The bill would enable states to use Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and other federal grant funds for pregnancy resource centers.
As of December 2025, six states have chosen to provide TANF funds to pregnancy care centers: Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Louisiana, Ohio, and Utah. In a speech on the House bill, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, noted the following:
Tragically, President Biden—the Abortion President—weaponized the entire federal bureaucracy to aggressively promote abortion on-demand, including misrepresenting the noble work of pregnancy resource centers. His administration proposed a rule to block pregnancy centers from receiving TANF funds.
Following pressure from Congress, the Biden Administration ultimately withdrew the hostile proposed rule. While pregnancy help organizations primarily run off the generosity of local, private supporters, Heartbeat International’s President, Jor-El Godsey, stated that Heartbeat “welcomes federal efforts to protect the pregnancy help community from unjust discrimination.” Godsey further noted that “[s]tates that protect unborn life and promote maternal health should be permitted to partner with members of our community to offer effective care.”
On Jan. 21, the House passed the measure (HR 6945) by a vote of 215 to 209 on partisan lines, with Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) voting in support.
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The following day, the House of Representatives also considered H.R. 6359, the Pregnant Students’ Rights Act, sponsored by Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA). Rep. Hinson’s bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education to provide students with a list of campus and community resources that exist to help a pregnant student carry a baby to term and care for the baby after birth.
The bill also requires schools to provide information on how to file a complaint with the Department of Education based on Title IX and file a discrimination complaint with the institution of higher education. In her floor speech, Rep. Hinson stated that she thinks it is “unacceptable that so often [young moms] have to choose between finishing their education and having their baby.” The bill passed by a vote of 217-211 with Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) voting in favor.
Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL) led the effort to introduce the Senate companion bill. As she introduced the legislation, Sen. Moody stated,
Navigating college can be challenging, and unfortunately, women who become pregnant can feel pressure choosing between bringing life into this world or academic failure. No one should have to make this decision. My Pregnant Students’ Rights Act ensures students know what resources and support are available to them to stay in school, succeed, and care for their new baby.
On Jan. 27, the Senate fell short of the 60-vote threshold required to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to the bill itself (Role Call: 47-45).
Godsey offered Heartbeat’s support for the legislation, noting that “No student should face discrimination or additional obstacles to an unexpected pregnancy.” In response to the Senate’s partisan vote to table the bill, Godsey acknowledged, “We're disappointed that the Senate couldn't garner the votes for this bill, because protecting pregnant students shouldn't be a partisan issue.”
"Regardless,” he continued, “our pregnancy help centers, maternity homes, medical centers, and adoption agencies offer invaluable support to moms and families--and we will continue to do so."
Tweet This: Pregnancy help centers and medical clinics, maternity homes, and adoption agencies offer invaluable support to moms and families.
After the vote, Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s office released a summary of Senate Republicans’ recent efforts to protect pregnant students, cut off Medicaid funding to abortion providers, and protect children born alive during an attempted abortion.
While votes in Washington may not immediately or at all change the day-to-day realities faced by pregnancy help organizations, they can, and here do signal something important: the work of pregnancy help organizations is being recognized as essential, legitimate, and worthy of protection.
Editor's note: Jessica Prol Smith is Director of Government Relations for Heartbeat International. Heartbeat Intenational manages Pregnancy Help News.
