Adrian Smith Commentary

Upholding the Work of Pregnancy Resource Centers

By Rep. Adrian Smith

This week, thousands came to Washington to participate in the 51st annual March for Life and celebrate Sanctity of Human Life Day. Sanctity of Human Life Day was first recognized in 1984 by President Reagan, marking the 11th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v Wade decision and commemorating the right to life for the unborn. When handed down in January of 1973, Roe v Wade assigned federal protection for abortion access to an arbitrary point in pregnancy and unjustly struck down state laws which protected unborn children.

Today, even after the Supreme Court’s landmark 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v Wade, the work of the pro-life movement is not done. Contrary to popular misconception, Dobbs in itself did nothing to prohibit abortion or protect abortion-vulnerable women and children.

While the U.S. remains one of only seven countries worldwide with no national abortion limitations after 20 weeks of pregnancy, many states, including Nebraska have stepped up to protect the right to life. However, there is much work to be done to extend dignity to every woman and child in America.

Women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy can face isolation and uncertainty, lacking the information, options, and support necessary to make the best choice for their own wellbeing and their child’s. Across the country pregnancy resource centers (PRCs), play an important role in providing this support to vulnerable families. Through support systems, coaching, parenting classes, childcare, and more, these centers work to empower women.

I’ve been inspired by the work of PRCs to meet the needs of women and families to overcome the challenges of work, pregnancy, and raising children. I’ve heard from PRC clients who had a difficult life moment become very triumphant because they had someone with vital information and care walk through it with them.

Unfortunately, due to a proposal from the Biden administration, PRCs with clients seeking this kind of assistance are at risk of being prohibited from providing support utilizing funding from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The policy, a rule proposed by the Children and Families Administration at the Department of Health and Human Services would bar states from awarding TANF funding to pro-life pregnancy centers.

While the primary purpose of TANF is providing cash and job search assistance to the neediest Americans, states are empowered to use their block grants to provide supplemental assistance to help Americans enter and remain in the workforce, including parenting supports such as those provided by PRCs. Nearly 3,000 of these organizations support women and children daily in extraordinary ways. There is no reason organizations offering these services to their communities shouldn’t be eligible for support through TANF. We allow states much latitude in carrying out what they think they need to do with taxpayer dollars devoted to assistance programs. It’s imperative those dollars be wisely and efficiently directed to help those most in need.

This week, I spoke in the Ways and Means Committee and on the House floor in support of the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act (H.R. 6918), a bill to help to women and families acutely in need by prohibiting restrictions on the use of TANF funds targeted toward PRCs.

With my support H.R. 6918 passed the House on January 18.

I remain committed to ensuring respect for human life continues to be a cornerstone of public policy. Let’s come together, taking every opportunity to honor the options expectant mothers and fathers should have. Connecting those truly in need with resources can help them on a trajectory to thrive, earn advancement, and provide for their families. The federal government should not for ideological reasons stand in the way of organizations offering information and support to uphold life.