Committee Republicans Vote to Keep Pregnant Students in the Dark About Their Rights and Protections
WASHINGTON – Today, Committee Republicans advanced legislation that would limit pregnant students’ access to information and resources regarding all the rights and protections available to them on college campuses.
H.R. 6914, the so-called Pregnant Students’ Rights Act, would prescribe a limited set of resources and information that institutions of higher education must provide to pregnant students regarding their rights and protections. These resources—which leave out information on contraception, abortion, pregnancy loss, and other reproductive and sexual health resources—are designed to encourage pregnant students to carry a pregnancy to term and could unduly influence students’ choices regarding their pregnancy and health.
“Although this bill purports to educate pregnant students about their academic rights and protections, its impact is much more sinister. By requiring institutions of higher education to only share information that encourages students to carry a pregnancy to term, [Committee Republicans] are potentially unduly influencing a woman’s choice by keeping her in the dark about all options available to her,” said Ranking Member Scott. “Women should be able to control their own bodies, lives, and futures. By shielding students about health care choices, resources, and rights that are available to them, [Committee Republicans] are denying them the choice to decide what is best for themselves and their families.”
Here are the amendments Committee Republicans voted NO on that would actually help student parents succeed:
|
Amendment |
Democrats |
Republicans |
|
Ensures students are not denied access to information about abortion services |
YES |
NO |
|
Ensures students are not denied access to information about sexual and reproductive health services, including contraception |
YES |
NO |
|
Requires that students are provided information about federal programs that support the health and wellbeing of pregnant women and children |
YES |
NO |
|
Ensures students are not denied access to information about resources regarding pregnancy and related medical conditions, including miscarriage |
YES |
NO |
The Committee also reported out H.R. 443, the bipartisan Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act, which would ensure the Department of Labor continues to train and educate employees on detecting and reporting suspecting human trafficking.
“Exploiting our most vulnerable workers has no place in our society. Regrettably, far too many people continue to be forced to work in abusive, unsafe, and unlawful working conditions at the hands of criminals and unscrupulous employers,” said Ranking Member Scott. “To be clear, I support the bipartisan legislation—but Committee Republicans should not be taking a victory lap as if they are doing everything possible to address trafficking, which they are not.”
Read Ranking Member Scott’s opening statement from the markup here.
Read Democratic amendments and letters of opposition to H.R. 6914 here.
###
Press Contact
Democratic Press Office, 202-226-0853
Next Article Previous Article