Pregnancy centers have been helping women and men face unplanned pregnancies and new parenthood for nearly 60 years. Today, there are nearly 3,000 of these centers across the country providing pregnancy-related resources and support, typically at no cost.
These centers commonly offer pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STI and STD testing, material assistance such as diapers and baby clothes, referrals for additional medical care and community resources, educational classes, and after-abortion recovery care. Anyone on either side of the abortion issue should be able to get behind these nonpolitical services, and Congress must do all it can to protect its work.
Despite their life-saving efforts, pregnancy centers have been the target of attacks for many years. These attacks only increased since the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade. Since Roe was overturned, abortion-rights legislators have introduced several bills to intimidate and regulate pregnancy centers, which could ultimately force them to close. These bills range from accusing pregnancy centers of false and “deceptive advertising,” banning abortion pill reversal, requiring licensing and certifications, terminating funding, and ordering studies to investigate pregnancy centers.
The Stop Antiabortion Disinformation Act would chill pregnancy centers’ First Amendment freedoms by empowering the Federal Trade Commission to punish centers for “deceptive advertising” if accused of “misrepresenting” contraceptive or abortive-related services and the employment of licensed medical professionals.
The bill accuses pregnancy centers of engaging in deception and imposes a harsh penalty with a fine of up to $100,000 or 50% of the preceding year’s revenue.
This bill not only singles out pregnancy centers but would likely cause centers to shutter their doors, leaving women facing unplanned pregnancies without the financial, emotional, and material support needed in their time of crisis.
Similar to the SAD Act, the Abortion Care Awareness Act of 2025 emphasizes expanded access to abortion while insinuating that pregnancy centers engage in “deceptive advertising.” The bill directs the secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct “a public health education, awareness and outreach campaign” with information on how to access abortion services, including obtaining the abortion pill, and how to differentiate abortion clinics from pregnancy centers. It also prohibits the secretary from promoting “misinformation” on abortion pill reversal and from promoting abstinence until marriage.
While the aforesaid bills seek to punish the life-saving work of pregnancy centers, other proposals aim to amplify their work.
A new pregnancy center tax credit that rewards and incentivizes individuals to support life-affirming work is a first meaningful step toward strengthening families and protecting the lives of preborn children.
In 2024 alone, 2,775 pregnancy centers nationwide provided services totaling over $452 million, providing crucial support to mothers who may otherwise choose abortion due to their financial situation. Because pregnancy centers are primarily funded through voluntary donations from individuals and businesses, policies that create tax incentives for such contributions are vital to the centers’ continued work.
Although some states offer pregnancy centers funding through grants, these often come with strings attached and bureaucratic red tape. These grants can also be taken away at the whim of the state legislature. For example, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) terminated the state’s contract after nearly 30 years with Real Alternatives, an organization that administered Pennsylvania’s Pregnancy and Parenting Support Services program.
The Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act was introduced last year by Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), and Michelle Fischbach (R-MN) and would maximize the effectiveness of pregnancy centers. It prohibits federal, state, and local governments from discriminating or retaliating against pregnancy centers because they do not participate in or promote abortion due to their anti-abortion mission.
STATE DEPARTMENT EXPOSES ‘BIRTH TOURISM’ SCHEMES: ‘A US VISA IS A PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT’
This bill clarifies that states can make Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds and other federal grants available to support the work of pregnancy centers without interference. It also grants pregnancy centers a private right of action to challenge discriminatory actions or retaliation.
For decades, pregnancy centers have dedicated themselves to aiding women in crisis by providing essential support throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. Rather than targeting and punishing the good work of these centers, lawmakers should enact legislation that allows women, children, and families to receive help with compassion and excellence. Women are better served when their options and access to services are expanded — not reduced.
Rebekah Gantner serves as Government Affairs & Public Policy manager at Americans United for Life and has worked alongside pregnancy centers for nearly two decades.