Southern West Virginia News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) have introduced The Pregnancy Center Support Act, a new legislation that aims to provide support for Pregnancy Resource Centers across the country. The act proposes a 50% tax credit for donations made by taxpayers to these centers, incentivizing contributions that will enable them to continue providing volunteer-based care to women and families in need.

"Pregnancy Resource Centers across the United States value the sanctity of life and make it their mission to care for women and families in their time of need," said Congresswoman Miller. "Many lives have been saved because of volunteers who provide services such as parenting education, job training, ultrasounds, diapers and baby clothes, and more to expecting parents. This tax credit will encourage individual donations in support of Pregnancy Resource Centers to ensure they can continue providing free services to mothers and families. I look forward to this bill's passage in Congress as we continue the fight for life."

"The life-affirming impact of pregnancy centers is considerable and growing following the Dobbs decision that allows life-saving laws to take effect across America," said Senator Hyde-Smith, chair of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus. "Despite what the radical pro-abortion left wants us to believe, the pro-life movement is also a pro-woman movement with a long history of empowering women during pregnancy and after. This legislation builds on that history by creating the means for pregnancy centers to access much-needed resources to meet the growing demands of supporting women and families in a post-Roe America."

The co-sponsors of the Pregnancy Center Support Act include Representatives Mary Miller (R-IL), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Alex Mooney (R-WV), Michael Guest (R-MS), and Jim Banks (R-IN), as well as Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO.), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK).

The legislation has garnered support from various organizations, including March for Life Action, Students for Life, Catholic Vote, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Americans United for Life, Human Coalition, Heartbeat International, Care Net, National Right to Life, SBA Pro-Life America, and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities.

Pregnancy Resource Centers play a crucial role in supporting women and families facing unplanned or difficult pregnancy circumstances. In 2022 alone, these centers provided care to clients over 16 million times and offered over $358 million in free goods and services. Some of the services provided by Pregnancy Resource Centers include free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, testing for sexually transmitted infections, parenting education, job training, domestic abuse protection, and essential materials such as diapers and baby clothes.

The proposed tax credit will be available to all taxpayers, regardless of whether they itemize or take the standard deduction. The Pregnancy Center Support Act aims to ensure that these centers have the necessary resources to continue their vital work in assisting women and families during pregnancy.

With the introduction of The Pregnancy Center Support Act, Congresswoman Carol Miller and Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith are taking steps to support Pregnancy Resource Centers and empower women and families across the country in their journey towards motherhood.