H.R. 6918 - 118th Congress (2023-2024) - Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act

This bill prohibits the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing (with respect to certain pregnancy centers) a provision of a proposed rule modifying the standard for a state's reasonable use of funds under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

The proposed rule provides that if ACF identifies a TANF expenditure that does not appear to reasonably accomplish a purpose of TANF then the state must show that it used the funds in a manner that a reasonable person would consider to be within one of the purposes.

The bill prohibits ACF from applying this standard to state expenditures for pregnancy centers that (1) support protecting the life of the mother and the unborn child; and (2) offer resources and services to mothers, fathers, and families, including but relationship counseling, prenatal and pregnancy education, pregnancy testing, diapers, baby clothes, or material supports.

Under current law, TANF funds may be used for any of four purposes, including to prevent and reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies. In the supplemental information to the proposed rule, ACF states that TANF expenditures for programs that exclusively or primarily provide pregnancy counseling to women only after they become pregnant have a tenuous or nonexistent connection to this purpose and, therefore, likely do not meet the proposed reasonableness standard.

Text (4)

January 22, 2024

January 18, 2024

January 16, 2024

January 9, 2024

Amendments (1)

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Actions (21)

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01/22/2024

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

01/18/2024

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

01/18/2024

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 208 (Roll no. 17). (text: CR H201-202)

01/18/2024

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 208 (Roll no. 17). (text: CR H201-202)

01/18/2024

On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 208 - 214 (Roll no. 16).

01/18/2024

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H226-227)

01/18/2024

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 6918, the chair put the question on the motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (MO) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.

01/18/2024

The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.

01/18/2024

Ms. Davids (KS) moved to recommit to the Committee on Ways and Means. (text: CR H210)

01/18/2024

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

01/18/2024

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 6918.

01/18/2024

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6914, H.R. 6918 and H. Res. 957. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 6914, H.R. 6918, and H. Res. 957 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for a motion to recommit on H.R. 6914 and H.R. 6918.

01/18/2024

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 969. (consideration: CR H201-210)

01/17/2024

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 969 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6914, H.R. 6918 and H. Res. 957. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 6914, H.R. 6918, and H. Res. 957 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for a motion to recommit on H.R. 6914 and H.R. 6918.

01/17/2024

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H155)

01/16/2024

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 285.

01/16/2024

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 118-349.

01/11/2024

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 18.

01/11/2024

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

01/09/2024

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

01/09/2024

Introduced in House

Public Record

Record Updated

Nov 8, 2024 7:09:06 PM