PREGNANT STUDENTS' RIGHTS ACT

On 2026-01-22, Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1) delivered a floor speech titled "PREGNANT STUDENTS' RIGHTS ACT" in the House. The speech addressed abortion and also covered the environment, education. It referenced legislation including HR6359, HRES1009.

PREGNANT STUDENTS' RIGHTS ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 15 (Thursday, January 22, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 15 (Thursday, January 22, 2026)] [House] [Pages H1325-H1330] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] PREGNANT STUDENTS' RIGHTS ACT Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1009, I call up the bill (H.R. 6359) to require institutions of higher education to disseminate information on the rights of, and accommodations and resources for, pregnant students, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 1009, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and Workforce, printed in the bill, is adopted, and the bill, as amended, is considered read. The text of the bill, as amended, is as follows: H.R. 6359 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Pregnant Students' Rights Act''. SEC. 2. NOTICE OF PREGNANT STUDENT RIGHTS, ACCOMMODATIONS, AND RESOURCES. Section 485 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(n) Pregnant Students' Rights, Accommodations, and Resources.-- ``(1) In general.--Each institution of higher education participating in any program under this title shall carry out the information dissemination activities described in paragraph (3) for prospective and enrolled students (including those attending or planning to attend less than full time) regarding the information described in paragraph (2) on the rights of, and resources (including protections and accommodations) for, pregnant students to carry a baby to term and students who may become pregnant while enrolled at such institution of higher education to carry a baby to term. ``(2) Information content.--The information described in this paragraph is the following: ``(A) A list of resources on campus and in the community that exist to help a pregnant student in carrying the baby to term and caring for the baby after birth. ``(B) Information about the accommodations available to help a pregnant student carry the baby to term and parent the baby after birth. ``(C) Information on how to file a complaint with-- ``(i) the Department of Education, if a student believes there was a violation by the institution of title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) on account of such student's determination to carry a baby to term; and ``(ii) the institution, if a student believes the student has been discriminated against in violation of such title IX on account of the student's determination to carry a baby to term. ``(3) Information dissemination activities.--The information dissemination activities described in this paragraph shall include-- ``(A) an email to each enrolled student at least once each academic year; and ``(B) the provision of information-- ``(i) in student handbooks, if any; ``(ii) at each orientation for enrolled students; ``(iii) at student health or counseling centers, if any; and ``(iv) on the publicly available website of the institution of higher education. ``(4) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize the Secretary to require the dissemination of additional information, or establish additional rights, beyond the information and rights included in this subsection.''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill, as amended, shall be debatable for 1 hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and Workforce or their respective designees. The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) each will control 30 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan. General Leave Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 6359. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Michigan? There was no objection. Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Pregnant Students' Rights Act, legislation that affirms a simple but powerful principle: Expecting mothers should be encouraged to pursue their education like any other student. Pregnant students often receive incorrect guidance or no guidance at all on how to navigate classes while pregnant. In many cases, women feel pressured to end their pregnancies or risk academic failure despite protections that exist now under Federal law. The Pregnant Students' Rights Act requires schools to clearly communicate what accommodations and protections pregnant and parenting students are entitled to. That includes excused absences for medical needs, the ability to make up missed work, and protection from discrimination and retaliation. More specifically, this bill requires information to be emailed to students at least once each academic year and appear in student handbooks at orientation, at student health or counseling centers, and on the institution's website. When students know their rights, they are empowered to stay enrolled, stay engaged, and succeed. This legislation doesn't burden colleges. It simply increases transparency by helping schools communicate consistently and avoid confusion or unnecessary disputes. This is a commonsense, compassionate measure that promotes transparency and ensures pregnant students have the support they need to create a better future for themselves and their child. Mr. Speaker, let's cherish life for both the child and his or her mother who dreams of academic success. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Pregnant Students' Rights Act and stand up for the dignity, opportunity, and educational success of every student. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. 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 and 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 students 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 [[Page H1326]] 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 about students who do not have a full understanding of their rights, then we should provide all of the information necessary to address their concerns. By shielding students from health information, resources, and the rights that are available to them, Republicans are denying them the ability to choose what may be best for them and their families. Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I urge my colleagues to oppose the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I just have to go back to the same argument that we had in committee. We don't prohibit schools from giving a full panoply of information. Our concern is that they haven't been. Pregnant students have been left without full information, full information that comes and is required by law under Title IX on all aspects of medical care, of counseling, and of opportunity. But sadly, that has been left out as far as saying if you are pregnant and you want to continue as pregnant in this school, we are going to support you in that. Title IX gives all of the information. We are not going to be redundant. We are just making sure that you also include, young lady, if you are pregnant and you want to continue in school, we are going to do our best to help you and provide all the resources. I just wish we could catch hold of this. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Hinson), the sponsor of this commonsense, compassionate, and helpful bill. {time} 1540 Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding time and for his excellent work in shepherding this bill through the Education and Workforce Committee. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support my bill, the Pregnant Students' Rights Act. This is a commonsense piece of legislation because when Roe v. Wade was rightfully overturned in 2022, the next chapter of the pro- life movement began. We were all given the opportunity to help strengthen our support for unborn babies and for new moms. As a mom of two, this issue is personal for me. I know that when you are pregnant, there are about a million questions that are going through your head at any given time. You have the doctors' appointments. You have new financial responsibilities. Pregnant students have so much on their plate as they are working to balance school and have a healthy pregnancy at the same time. I think it is just unacceptable that so often they would choose between finishing their education and having their baby, despite the Title IX protections that are already i

Referenced legislation: HRES1009, HRES1009, HR6359