This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6945, the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act, by a vote of 215–209, affirming states’ ability to fund pregnancy centers that provide vital support to mothers, children, and families.

The legislation clarifies that states may use TANF funds to assist pregnancy centers and prevents federal agencies from blocking that support. Pregnancy centers offer pregnancy testing, parenting education, peer counseling, and essential items like diapers and baby clothes.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), co-chair of the House Pro-Life Caucus along with Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ). In December 2024, the two legislators held a Capitol Hill briefing to inform their colleagues about the need to defend pregnancy centers. President Myrna Maloney Flynn presented that day, outlining attacks Massachusetts PRCs sustained following the Dobbs decision, and the subsequent actions MCFL coordinated, ultimately allowing PRCs to continue serving women in need.

“With passage of H.R. 6945, the House has taken an important step to ensure that women are not denied access to meaningful support and life-affirming alternatives,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “We urge the Senate to act swiftly and send this commonsense legislation to the president’s desk.”

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.