U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) joins Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) today in the introduction of two bills to support and protect pregnancy centers and maternity homes, including a proposal to create the first-ever federal tax credit to spur greater private sector donations for these centers.
“For those who experience an unplanned pregnancy, it is shameful that many in America have led them to believe that abortion is the only choice,” said Sen. Mullin. “Our society must do better than offering expectant mothers cruel and inhumane ways to kill their children. I am honored to join Senator Hyde-Smith on these two pieces of legislation to provide the resources necessary for mothers to embrace life. All children are wonderfully made by our Creator and worthy of protection. While the pro-life movement has made incredible strides in recent years, we have so much further to go.”
The Pregnancy Center Support Act would implement a 50 percent tax credit to incentivize voluntary contributions to pregnancy centers that provide life-affirming support to help pregnant mothers to choose life for their babies instead of abortion. U.S. Representative Carol Miller (R-W.Va.) introduced a House companion measure.
The Pregnancy Center Support Act would:
- Allow for a nonrefundable tax credit (i.e. a dollar-for-dollar reduction of taxes owed) of 50 percent of contributions to qualifying pregnancy centers, up to $10,000 in donations per year ($20,000 for joint filers), for individuals and businesses.
- Allow the credit to be available to all taxpayers, regardless of whether they itemize or take the standard deduction. For filers who itemize, amounts taken into account for this credit could not be double counted for the charitable contribution deduction. Any amounts of the credit that exceed taxes owed may be carried forward up to five years for individuals.
Pregnancy centers rely on the donations and time of individuals who are committed to caring for the needs of women, children, and their families. In 2022, 2,750 pregnancy centers met with clients more than 16 million times and provided over $358 million in free goods and services.
U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) joined Mullin and Hyde-Smith in cosponsoring this bill.
It is supported by March for Life Action, Students for Life, Catholic Vote, 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.
Additionally, the Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act would nullify a Biden administration proposed rule that would deny Temporary Assistance to Need Families (TANF) program funding to pregnancy centers even if they meet one or more of TANF statutory purposes.
The Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act bill would:
- 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.
- Provide a private right of action to protect pregnancy centers that suffer federal discrimination.
Mullin and Hyde-Smith are joined by U.S. Senators Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.).
This measure also has 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.
