Cramer, Tenney Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation Allowing Pregnant Mothers to Receive Child Support

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pro-life members of Congress like U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) have long recognized the importance of providing additional support for pregnant mothers. In recent sessions of Congress, Cramer has co-sponsored legislation toexpandchild support payments for expectant mothers,implementtax credits, andcreatea clearinghouse for pregnancy and post-partum resources.
In honor of the annual March for Life in Washington, Cramer and U.S. Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24) reintroduced theUnborn Child Support Actin support of mothers-to-be and their children. Cramer is a co-chair of theCongressional Coalition on Adoptionandreceivedan A+ rating from Susan B. Anthony List for voting “consistently to defend the lives of the unborn and infants.”
TheUnborn Child Support Actallows pregnant women to receive child support payments. It recognizes the needs of mothers and allows them to opt-in to receive prenatal payments, should they choose to pursue them via the court system. Specifically, the judges would be required to consult with mothers on payment plans and give mothers discretion as to whether or not child support payments will be awarded retroactively. The bill also directs all paternity tests be at the discretion of the mother and not be conducted if the test puts the child at risk.
“I believe life begins at conception and therefore, our duty to care for mothers also begins at conception,”said Cramer.“What our bill does, is empowers moms to simply seek prenatal child support and rightly puts the financial obligation on fathers to help provide for their unborn children. We should encourage motherhood and fully support them along the way.”
“By enabling child support to begin at conception, we empower mothers with financial assistance while respecting their freedom to make the best choices for themselves and their unborn children,”said Tenney.“The Unborn Child Support Act emphasizes the value of life from the very beginning of pregnancy and provides vital support to mothers. If a mother chooses to seek prenatal child support, we must ensure she and her unborn child receive the resources and assistance they deserve.”
Additional cosponsors of the legislation include U.S. Senators Jim Banks (R-IN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Boyd Britt (R-AL), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), James Lankford (R-OK), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).
TheUnborn Child Support Actisendorsedby several organizations, including Concerned Women for America, March for Life Action, Susan B. Anthony (SBA) Pro-Life America, Students for Life Action, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), CatholicVote, Family Policy Alliance, Family Research Council, Americans United for Life, National Right to Life, Christians Engaged, and National Association of Pro-Life Nurses.
Clickherefor bill text.
Tags:Life