- May 9, 2024
Senators Marshall Joins Senator Katie Britt to Introduce MOMS Act to Help Build Culture of Life, Support Women, Strengthen Families
Washington, D.C. – Ahead of Mother’s Day this Sunday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. joined Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) to introduce the More Opportunities for Moms to Succeed (MOMS) Act. This legislation would provide critical support to women during typically challenging phases of motherhood – prenatal, postpartum, and early childhood development – and bolster access to resources and assistance to help mothers and their children thrive.
This comes at an important moment. The number of U.S. births in 2023 was the lowest since 1979, according to provisional CDC data, and the total fertility rate in America hit an all-time low last year.
“As an OB/GYN who spent 25 years caring for thousands of mothers throughout their pregnancies, I know firsthand how important it is to provide the necessary support and care,” said Senator Marshall, co-chair of the Senate Values Action Team. “The MOMs Act provides a one-stop-shop on everything women need to have a successful pregnancy and beyond. I am proud to stand beside Senator Britt in sponsoring this much-needed pro-mother legislation.”
“As a mom, I know firsthand that there is no greater blessing in life than our children and understand the types of challenges that women face during their pregnancy journeys and while raising their kids. I’m proud to support women throughout these seasons of motherhood. This legislation is further evidence that you can absolutely be pro-life, pro-woman, and pro-family at the same time. The MOMS Act advances a comprehensive culture of life, grows and strengthens families, and ensures moms have the opportunities and resources needed so they and their children can thrive and live their American Dreams,” said Senator Britt, the only Republican mom of school-aged children in the U.S. Senate.
The MOMS Act would:
- Establish Pregnancy.gov – a federal clearinghouse of resources available to expecting and postpartum moms, as well as those with young children.
- This clearinghouse would increase access to adoption agencies, pregnancy resource centers, and other relevant public and private resources available to pregnant women within their zip code and surrounding areas.
- As part of Pregnancy.gov, HHS would be required to include and maintain a national list of federal funding opportunities available to non-profit and healthcare entities for pregnancy support.
- Improve access to pre- and post-natal resources.
- This legislation would establish a grant program for non-profit entities to support, encourage, and assist women in carrying their pregnancies to term; and to care for their babies after birth.
- It would also provide tools for pre-natal and post-natal telehealth appointments by instituting a grant program to purchase necessary medical equipment and technology in rural areas and other medically underserved areas.
- Require states to apply child support obligations to the time period during pregnancy.
The MOMS Act is endorsed by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Americans United for Life, March for Life Action, the National Right to Life Committee, and the Family Policy Alliance.
The full text of the bill can be viewed here. A section-by-section of the bill can be found here.