July 31, 2023
Action Alert: FFL Supports Provide for Life Act. Urges more cosponsors
FFL endorses the comprehensive “Provide for Life Act” introduced by Rep. Ashley Hinson and Senator Marco Rubio. FFL President Serrin Foster said “Feminists for Life of America has long advocated the practical solutions women say they want. Help is urgently needed most for those who are financially challenged and for mothers attending college. Women deserve better.”
The Providing for Life Act is comprised of nine bills that support expecting moms through pregnancy and once their children are born by expanding access to important federal resources and grant programs, recognizing the importance of community and faith-based services, and empowering parents to raise healthy, happy babies regardless of socioeconomic status.
- Tax Provisions to Benefit Working Families: includes an expansion of the Child Tax Credit to up to $4,500 for children under the age of 6 and $3,500 for children ages 6 to 17, expanded refundability, CTC eligibility for unborn children, and full refundability of the Adoption Tax Credit.
- New Parents Act: allows parents to pull forward up to three months of Social Security benefits to finance parental leave.
- Pregnant Students’ Rights Act: ensures expecting moms on college campuses are told about all of the resources available so that they can create the best future for themselves and their baby.
- Community Mentors for Moms Act: funds local demonstration programs providing volunteer mentoring and peer support services for low-income mothers.
- Lifting Local Communities Act: expands and codifies vital protections for faith-based organizations providing federally-funded social services.
- Standing with Moms Act: establishes a federal clearinghouse of resources available to pregnant mothers.
- WIC Reform Act: expands eligibility for postpartum and breastfeeding mothers to two years after birth, extends voucher benefits to provide fruits and vegetables, requires states to provide information and referrals for participants who wish to establish child support orders, and mandates that USDA be more responsive in updating the WIC supplemental foods package.
- Supporting Moms and Children through Child Support Reform: incentivizes states to establish rules requiring the father to cover half of a woman’s pregnancy costs and strengthens child support enforcement.
- Life-Affirming Care for Mothers Act: ensures that Title X funding is made available to pregnancy resource centers.
Please call or email your U.S. Representative and urge him/her to co-sponsor the Provide for Life Act. Call the United States Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 or find her/him online at www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative to send an email. Thank you.
