House Education Committee reports Pregnant Students Rights Act after heated debate over scope and enforcement

The House Education and Workforce Committee voted 21–15 on Jan. 7, 2026, to report HR 6359, the Pregnant Students Rights Act, sending the bill to the full House with amendments after several failed attempts to broaden its language.

Supporters said the bill requires institutions that receive federal funds to proactively inform pregnant students about their rights and campus and community resources so they can continue their education. “Too many pregnant students don’t know what help is available to them,” the committee chair told members when introducing the bill, framing it as a measure to prevent students from being forced to pause their studies.

Opponents, led by House Democrats, argued the bill is incomplete and ideologically driven. Ranking Member Representative Robert C. Scott warned that the bill “requires colleges and universities to distribute only partial information about students’ existing rights under Title IX” and that it “could unduly endanger a pregnant student’s health” by omitting information on contraception, miscarriage care and medical circumstances where abortion may be indicated. Representative Lucy McBath said the measure “is more about pressuring female students into making serious, deeply personal health decisions than it is about connecting pregnant and parenting students with resources.”

Several Democratic amendments intended to expand the scope of information or to clarify Title IX protections were offered and rejected. Representative Suzanne Bonamici’s amendment to allow colleges to provide comprehensive reproductive-health information (including contraception and abortion) was defeated by voice and later by recorded tally (13 yeas, 21 nays). Subsequent amendments by Representatives Stevens, Lee, Omar and Wilson seeking to add clarifying language, require information on federal safety-net programs such as Medicaid, SNAP and WIC, or preserve the Secretary of Education’s authority were also not adopted (recorded tallies announced ranged from 15–21 on multiple amendments).

Republican supporters, including Representative Miller who offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute, said the bill does not expand Title IX rights but only requires notice of existing rights and local resources. Representative Miller argued the bill “requires colleges and universities to inform pregnant students of their rights, accommodations, and resources which are available to them” and urged colleagues to support the measure.

Democrats repeatedly raised enforcement concerns, noting that the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has lost staff and regional offices have been closed, which they said would limit the agency’s ability to investigate complaints the bill would direct students to file. Multiple Democrats urged the committee instead to focus on policies that directly address childcare, paid leave and affordable health care for student parents.

By the end of the markup the committee approved an amendment in the nature of a substitute and the chairman’s motion to report the bill passed on a recorded vote, 21 yeas to 15 nays. The clerk announced that HR 6359 as amended and committee materials will be transmitted to the House of Representatives; members were given the usual period to file supplemental or dissenting views.

The committee’s action advances HR 6359 to the next legislative stage, but the bill’s opponents said potential enforcement gaps and the absence of new supports for student parents leave substantive issues unresolved.