The Senate Pro-Life Caucus Chair wants to give tax credits to help pregnant women and mothers
Before the national March for Life, U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) introduced two bills to support and protect pregnancy centers and maternity homes. One bill would create the first federal tax credit to encourage donations to these centers.
The Pregnancy Center Support Act would give a 50% tax credit to encourage donations to pregnancy centers that help pregnant women choose life for their babies instead of abortion. U.S. Representative Carol Miller (R-W.Va.) introduced a House companion measure.
“Pregnancy centers help women choose life for their babies,” said Hyde-Smith, chair of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus. “The pro-life movement is also a pro-woman movement.” This legislation helps pregnancy centers get the resources they need to support women and families in the post-Roe era.
Miller asserted that pregnancy resource centers across the United States prioritize the sanctity of life and strive to provide care for women and families in their time of need. He noted that numerous lives have been saved due to the efforts of volunteers who offer services such as parenting education, job training, ultrasounds, diapers, and baby clothes to expecting parents. He further emphasized that this tax credit will encourage individual donations in support of pregnancy resource centers, ensuring their continued provision of free services to mothers and families. “I anticipate that this bill will be enacted into law by Congress, thereby continuing the struggle for the preservation of life.” The Pregnancy Center Support Act would:
- A nonrefundable tax credit (i.e., a dollar-for-dollar reduction of taxes owed) of 50 percent of contributions to qualifying pregnancy centers is permitted, with a maximum of $10,000 in donations per year ($20,000 for joint filers) for individuals and businesses.
- It is recommended that the credit be made available to all taxpayers, regardless of whether they itemize or take the standard deduction. For those who itemize, the amounts taken into account for this credit may not be double counted for the charitable contribution deduction. Any excess credit amounts may be carried forward for up to five years for individuals.
Pregnancy centers rely on the contributions and volunteer efforts of individuals who are dedicated to addressing the needs of women, children, and their families. In 2022, 2,750 pregnancy centers met with clients on over 16 million occasions and provided over $358 million in free goods and services. In Mississippi, Missouri, and Louisiana, legislation was enacted that provides tax credits for private donations to pregnancy centers. Furthermore, an increasing number of states are considering similar laws.
U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) have cosponsored the Pregnancy Center Support Act.
The legislation is endorsed by a number of prominent organizations, including March for Life Action, Students for Life, Catholic Vote, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Americans United for Life, Human Coalition Action, Heartbeat International, Care Net, National Right to Life, SBA Pro-Life America, American Family Association Action, Concerned Women for America LAC, the National Association of State Pregnancy Wellness Coalitions, National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities.
Hyde-Smith also collaborated with House Pro-Life Caucus Chair Christopher H. Smith (R-N.J.) to introduce the Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act. The proposed legislation would nullify a rule proposed by the Biden administration that would deny Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program funding to pregnancy centers, even if they meet one or more of the statutory purposes of the TANF program.
“This legislation is designed to counter the targeted efforts of the Biden administration to strip millions of dollars from pregnancy centers through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The proposed legislation would prevent the implementation of the aforementioned rule and protect those pregnancy centers that are currently providing services to women and their children, both born and unborn.
The Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act (LPCSA) bill would:
- It is necessary to clarify the longstanding authority of states to provide TANF funds to pregnancy centers and alternatives to abortion programs for services that fulfill the purposes of TANF.
- It is recommended that a private right of action be provided to protect pregnancy centers that suffer federal discrimination.
The Senate measure has been cosponsored by a number of United States Senators, including Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.).
This measure also enjoys the support of SBA Pro-Life America, National Right to Life, March for Life Action, Americans United for Life, Ethics & Public Policy Center, HHS Accountability Project, Catholic Vote, Heartbeat International, Care Net, National Right to Life, Students for Life Action, and National Institute of Family and Life Advocates.
In December, Senators Hyde-Smith and Smith spearheaded a bipartisan opposition to a proposed rule that would restrict the use of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding by pregnancy centers and alternative abortion programs.
Chelsea Garcia is a political writer with a special interest in international relations and social issues. Events surrounding the war in Ukraine and the war in Israel are a major focus for political journalists. But as a former local reporter, she is also interested in national politics.
Chelsea Garcia studied media, communication and political science in Texas, USA, and learned the journalistic trade during an internship at a daily newspaper. In addition to her political writing, she is pursuing a master's degree in multimedia and writing at Texas.
