U.S. Senator Tim Scott reintroduced the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act on Mar. 26, aiming to protect funding for pregnancy resource centers and community-based family organizations.
The bill is intended to ensure that pregnant women and new mothers have continued access to essential support services through federally funded programs. Supporters say this legislation will help safeguard organizations that provide guidance, care, and resources at no cost, especially for low-income or underserved communities.
Scott said, “Supporting women means ensuring they have real resources, real care, and real options. I am proud to lead this legislation to protect and strengthen the community organizations that serve women and families every day—offering guidance, support, and critical services so no mother faces pregnancy or parenthood alone.”
Other senators joined Scott in introducing the bill: Jim Justice of West Virginia, John Cornyn of Texas, Jim Risch of Idaho, and Todd Young of Indiana. Justice said these centers “need to know that we have their backs” while Cornyn stated the bill would “safeguard these life-changing organizations against the woke policies of future Democrat administrations.” Risch called pregnancy centers an “important lifeline,” while Young highlighted their role in providing education, counseling, diapers, baby supplies—and ensuring states like Indiana can continue supporting them.
The act is designed as a response to what its sponsors describe as attempts by the Biden administration’s Health and Human Services Department to limit funding for such centers based on political or ideological grounds. The bill would prohibit restrictions on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds being used by pregnancy resource centers.
Scott has consistently advocated expanding support for mothers and families so they can access necessary care throughout pregnancy according to his official website. He grew up in a single-parent household in North Charleston; he was also raised there before earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Charleston Southern University according to his official biography. His career includes service on Charleston County Council as well as positions in both state-level legislature roles—the South Carolina House—and national office with the U.S. House of Representatives according to his official website.
In addition to legislative work like this act’s introduction—which is supported by several life-affirming care coalitions—Scott offers constituent services including assistance with federal agencies for South Carolina residents according to his official website.
