Ranking Member Scott Slams Republican Bill to Keep Pregnant Students in the Dark About Their Rights
WASHINGTON – Today, Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, House Committee on Education and Workforce, spoke in opposition to H.R. 6359, the Pregnant Students’ Rights Act, which would provide pregnant students with a limited set of resources and information regarding their rights and protections.
Watch Ranking Member Scott’s remarks on YouTube.
“Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 6359, the Pregnant Students’ Rights Act.
“This bill requires schools to provide pregnant students with information about on-campus and community resources and accommodations to assist them in carrying a baby to term while they pursue an education.
“Unfortunately, instead of sharing unbiased and comprehensive information, this bill requires schools to distribute only partial information about a student’s rights under Title IX, and selective information on resources that solely encourage students to carry a pregnancy to term. It provides no information about rights and accommodations for students who may find themselves in a medical situation that requires an abortion.
“Now, repeating the idea that comprehensive information must be provided does not make it true. Title IX entitles the student to the information, but this bill only requires some of that information to be provided. Now, while the bill’s proponents continue to assert that students are unaware of their rights, they provide no justification or evidence that students are any more or less aware of their rights or accommodations specific to carrying a child to term. If we are concerned that students who do not have a full understanding of their rights, then we should provide comprehensive, [meaning] all of the information necessary, to address their concerns.
“By shielding students from health information, resources, and rights that are available to them, Republicans are denying them the ability to choose what may be best for them and their families.
“For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to oppose the bill and reserve the balance of my time.”
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