Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act

HB6945, the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act, passed the House on January 21, 2026, and now sits before the Senate Committee on Finance. The American Council urges every senator to vote yes and send this bill to the President's desk.

The bill makes a single, focused amendment to Section 404 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 604) by adding a new subsection (l). That subsection has two operative parts, and both matter.

First, the operative clarification: the new Section 404(l)(1) states that 'Nothing in this part shall be construed to prohibit a State from using a grant made under section 403 to support pregnancy centers.' The provision is cast as a construction rule. It does not create a new funding stream; it removes a basis on which Part A of Title IV might otherwise be read to bar States from directing TANF block grant dollars toward pregnancy centers. States retain discretion -- the bill clears the legal path without mandating any particular allocation.

Second, the definition: Section 404(l)(2) defines 'pregnancy center,' as used in paragraph (1), as 'any organization, such as a pregnancy resource center, pregnancy help center or organization, or pregnancy medical center,' that meets two conditions joined by 'and': (A) it 'supports protecting the life of the mother and the unborn child,' AND (B) it 'offers resources and services to mothers, fathers, and families, including but not limited to relationship counseling, prenatal and pregnancy education, pregnancy testing, diapers, baby clothes, or other material supports.' Both prongs must be satisfied. The list of named organization types -- pregnancy resource center, pregnancy help center or organization, pregnancy medical center -- is explicitly illustrative ('such as'), not exhaustive, so other organizations meeting both conditions also qualify. The list of resources and services is likewise non-exhaustive ('including but not limited to').

The American Council believes this clarification is long overdue. Pregnancy centers serve mothers, fathers, and families in some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, providing practical material support -- diapers, baby clothes, prenatal education -- alongside emotional and relational care. These organizations embody exactly the kind of community-rooted, life-affirming service that TANF was designed to make possible. Any ambiguity in federal law that discourages States from partnering with them is an ambiguity that works against pregnant women and their children. This bill corrects that ambiguity without imposing mandates or redirecting funds away from any current program. We call on every member of the Senate to pass HB6945 without delay.