Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act
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Would amend federal welfare law to clarify that states may use Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant funds to support pregnancy centers offering counseling, pregnancy testing, diapers, and other material aid to mothers, fathers, and families.
The change would settle a legal question over whether states can direct TANF dollars to organizations that oppose abortion and support carrying pregnancies to term, potentially expanding funding avenues for such centers nationwide.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would amend the Social Security Act to state explicitly that nothing in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program prohibits a state from using its federal TANF block grant funds to support pregnancy centers. It defines a "pregnancy center" broadly to include any pregnancy resource, help, or medical center that supports protecting the life of the mother and unborn child and that offers services such as relationship counseling, prenatal and pregnancy education, pregnancy testing, diapers, baby clothes, or other material supports.
The bill does not create a new grant program or appropriate any new funding; it clarifies existing authority under the current TANF block grant structure. States would retain discretion over whether and how much of their TANF funds to direct toward such centers.
Key provisions
- 1Would clarify that states are not prohibited from using TANF grant funds under Section 403 of the Social Security Act to support pregnancy centers.
- 2Would define 'pregnancy center' as any organization that supports protecting the life of the mother and unborn child and offers services to mothers, fathers, and families.
- 3Would specify covered services can include relationship counseling, prenatal and pregnancy education, pregnancy testing, diapers, baby clothes, or other material supports.
Who would be affected
State agencies that administer TANF block grants, pregnancy resource and pregnancy help centers seeking public funding, and low-income mothers, fathers, and families who use TANF-funded services such as pregnancy testing, counseling, diapers, and material supports.
Why it matters
By explicitly authorizing this use of TANF funds, the bill would remove legal ambiguity that has led some states to hesitate funding pregnancy centers, potentially increasing the number of centers receiving public dollars. It touches on the broader, often contested debate over public funding for organizations involved in pregnancy-related services and abortion alternatives.
What would change
Changes to existing law
Amends Social Security Act, Section 404 (42 U.S.C. 604) (Sec. 2)
Adds a new subsection clarifying states may use TANF grant funds to support pregnancy centers, and defines the term.
Funding and costs
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 6945 would have no significant effect on the federal budget, with any changes to direct spending or discretionary costs each totaling less than $500,000 annually over the 2026–2035 period.
H.R. 6945 would clarify that states may use Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) — a federal block grant program for low-income families — funds to support pregnancy centers. CBO estimates the bill would have no significant effect on direct (mandatory) spending over the 2026–2035 period, because TANF funding is capped under current law and any shift in state spending would be less than $500,000 per year. Discretionary costs to the Department of Health and Human Services for producing guidance or regulations to implement the bill would also total less than $500,000 over the 2026–2030 period, subject to appropriated funds. CBO identified no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates in the bill.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Official CRS summary
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This bill provides statutory authority for states to use Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds for pregnancy centers that (1) support protecting the life of the mother and the unborn child; and (2) offer resources and services to mothers, fathers, and families, including relationship counseling, prenatal and pregnancy education, pregnancy testing, diapers, baby clothes, and material supports.
Legislative subjects
Families; Family planning and birth control; Family services; Health programs administration and funding; Poverty and welfare assistance; Sex and reproductive health; State and local government operations; Women's health