Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act of 2024

Summary

Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act of 2024 This bill explicitly authorizes states to use Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding to carry out programs that encourage patients to carry their pregnancies to term rather than seek abortions. Under current law, states have broad authority to use TANF funds as they see fit to accomplish any of the program’s four purposes, including to prevent and reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies.  The bill also prohibits the federal government from subjecting entities receiving TANF funds to disparate treatment because they encourage patients to carry their pregnancies to term, or because they do not provide, assist, or counsel in favor of abortion. Similarly, the federal government may not subject states contracting with such entities to disparate treatment. Under the bill, disparate treatment includes presumed ineligibility for TANF funds or presumed failure to satisfy the purposes of the program. The Department of Justice, a state, or an entity adversely affected by a violation of these provisions may bring suit in civil court for appropriate relief, including money damages. Federal officials may not invoke sovereign immunity as a defense to such a suit.  

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Timeline

1. 20 February 2024

   Introduced

   Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 20 February 2024

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 20 February 2024

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 17 December 2024

   Referred

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Work and Welfare.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in House · 20 February 2024 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN · 20 February 2024

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House (PDF)

  Introduced in House · EN · 20 February 2024

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 20 February 2024

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2] · R · Sponsor
• Debbie Lesko · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3] · R · Sponsor
• James Baird · R · Sponsor
• Jim Banks · R · Sponsor
• Dan Crenshaw · R · Sponsor
• John Joyce · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Kelly, Trent [R-MS-1] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1] · R · Sponsor
• Alexander Mooney · R · Sponsor
• Blake Moore · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3] · R · Sponsor
• William Timmons · R · Sponsor
• · hswm00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act of 2024