CV NEWS FEED // Sen. Tim Scott, R-SC, this week introduced a bill that supports families in need and protects the funding of pregnancy centers from the Biden administration’s attempts of restriction.
Scott announced the new legislation, called the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act, in a February 6 press release. The Act protects “the use of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds for pregnancy centers.”
TANF helps low-income families with monthly monetary support for up to five years. According to the press release, the goal of TANF “is to have children cared for in their own home or a relative’s home, end parents’ dependency on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage, reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies and encourage the formation of two-parent families.”
In October of last year, “the Biden administration issued a proposed rule to amend TANF program regulations, which could restrict states from using TANF funding for pregnancy centers,” the press release read.
The Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act fights back against this proposed rule by “specifically [prohibiting] restrictions on the use of TANF funds towards pregnancy centers under the Office of Family Assistance, Administration for Children and Families’ rule.”
“Pregnancy centers do extraordinary work to lift up mothers and their children in need,” stated Scott.
Pregnancy centers offer expectant mothers alternatives to abortion and many even provide resources for parents several years after they have children. Because of their pro-life mission, pregnancy centers have repeatedly been a target of pro-choice advocates.
“If this program’s goal is to provide assistance for needy families that will help them build stable, caring homes for their children, the only possible motivation for stripping funding from pregnancy centers is a political one,” Scott stated:
I’m proud to join this effort to allow pregnancy centers to continue doing the Lord’s work and providing hope for families struggling to make ends meet.
Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Jim Risch (R-ID) and John Kennedy (R-LA) are co-sponsors of this pro-family legislation.
Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-MN) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives that passed on January 19. Fischbach’s legislation is also called the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act.
“Women who face an unexpected pregnancy should be able to safely go into a facility that is not going to push abortion on them and instead provide them with the education and support they need,” Fischbach stated in the February 6 press release.
“Make no mistake, conservatives are here for unborn children and their mothers, and we want to ensure an expectant mother is empowered to raise her family,” Fischbach added. “Thank you to Senator Scott for leading this bill in the Senate to continue vital support for women in communities across the country.”
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