WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) in introducing the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act to protect Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding for crisis pregnancy centers. 

On Oct. 2, Pres. Joe Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a proposed rule that would restrict states’ ability to direct TANF funding to crisis pregnancy centers. On Dec. 1, Kennedy demanded that the Biden administration’s HHS withdraw its proposed rule targeting pregnancy centers. 

“Pres. Biden’s proposed rule would end TANF funding for crisis pregnancy centers—including the more than 30 centers in Louisiana—that provide vital care to expecting moms and their families. The Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act ensures that these important community resources continue to get the money they need to keep their doors open for vulnerable women and babies,” said Kennedy.

“Crisis pregnancy centers do extraordinary work to lift up mothers and their children in need. 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. I’m proud to join this effort to allow crisis pregnancy centers to continue doing the Lord’s work and providing hope for families struggling to make ends meet,” said Scott.

Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives, which passed by a 214-208 vote.

The TANF program provides $16.5 billion in federal funding to states for direct cash assistance and support services for needy families. The Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act would ensure the federal government cannot restrict TANF funds from supporting pregnancy centers.

The bill would not block the implementation of the Biden administration’s rule but would prohibit the Biden HHS from making regulatory changes that are biased against crisis pregnancy centers. 

Sens. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) also cosponsored the legislation.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, National Right to Life, Americans United for Life and Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee also support the legislation.

Full text of the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act is available here.