Hinson’s Bipartisan Pregnant Students’ Rights Act Passes House

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson delivered the following remarks on the House Floor in support of her bipartisan Pregnant Students' Rights Act. This legislation helps ensure young women attending college are given proper information about their rights and available resources on campus. These protections and options available to pregnant students include, and are not limited to, flexible class schedules, excused absences, and child care assistance.

— Remarks as Delivered —

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the chairman for yielding, and his excellent work in shepherding this bill through the Education and Workforce Committee. I rise today to support my bill, the Pregnant Students’ Rights Act.

"This is a commonsense piece of legislation because when Roe v. Wade was rightfully overturned in 2022, the next chapter of the pro-life movement began. We were all given the opportunity to help strengthen our support for unborn babies and for new moms.

"As a mom of two, this issue is personal for me. Because I know that when you’re pregnant, there are about a million questions that are going through your head at any given time. 

"You've got the doctors’ appointments. You've got the new financial responsibilities, and pregnant students have so much on their plate as they're working to balance school and have a healthy pregnancy at the same time.

"So I think it's just unacceptable that so often they have to choose between finishing their education and having their baby—despite the Title Nine protections that are already in place.

"Under Title Nine, pregnant students have the right to stay in school, finish their education, and achieve their career goals. However, the academic disparity does exist because of limited resources and, sometimes, support for pregnant students. These women may fear institutional reprisal, loss of an athletic scholarship, or even negative impacts on their academic opportunities and their standing.

"So those fears and anxieties are not only unjust to women, but they're a poor reflection of how our higher education institutes are treating pregnant students. 

"Higher education institutions and universities have a responsibility to empower all their students, all of them, to succeed—including pregnant students. They deserve to be treated with respect and surrounded with care and love. That's what this piece of legislation is designed to do.

"I have visited pregnancy resource centers in Iowa and met with so many of those who have dedicated their cause to life—many of whom have traveled right here to Washington, DC for the March for Life this weekend. Maybe a snowy March for Life this weekend.

"And it has been inspiring to me to see all of the pro-life community spring into action to really help our expecting mother and their babies to thrive. Because that is what this movement is all about: it's about recognizing the sanctity of every life and valuing life at every stage.

"It is crucial that pregnant women know that they have people standing behind them, resources available to them, and that they are entitled to these accommodations on campuses. Completing an education as a mother is not only empowering for the student, but this is vital to ensuring a strong future for her child. For our next generation.

"The Pregnant Students’ Rights Act amends the Higher Education Act to require our colleges and universities to clearly distribute information about pregnant students’ rights and available resources through student handbooks, emails, websites, orientations—while promoting accountability when those rights are violated for our students.

"And it’s troubling that some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are so dug in on their pro-abortion stances and agenda that they would oppose providing pregnant students with information on their rights and resources available to them to continue their education and have a healthy pregnancy.

"Supporting women who choose life should not be a partisan issue. Every woman who completes her studies while pregnant strengthens our families, our communities, and our workforce.

"I hope that my colleagues across the aisle will help to vote to empower pregnant women and support this vital, life-affirming legislation.

"This bill is a step in the right direction to creating a culture of life in our society, and a step that we must take, as we continue to pursue policies that help our families to grow and thrive, from Iowa and beyond.

"Mr. Speaker, I yield back."

Watch her floor speech here. Read more about Rep. Hinson’s life-affirming legislation here.

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