PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 6945, SUPPORTING PREGNANT AND PARENTING WOMEN AND FAMILIES ACT; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R.

On 2026-01-21, Representative Mike Bost (R-IL-12) delivered a floor speech titled "PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 6945, SUPPORTING PREGNANT AND PARENTING WOMEN AND FAMILIES ACT; PROVIDING FOR CONSID" in the House. The speech addressed the environment and also covered foreign policy, China. It referenced legislation including HR6945, HR6359, HR12, among other bills.

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 6945, SUPPORTING PREGNANT AND PARENTING WOMEN AND FAMILIES ACT; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R.

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 14 (Wednesday, January 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 14 (Wednesday, January 21, 2026)] [House] [Pages H1131-H1138] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 6945, SUPPORTING PREGNANT AND PARENTING WOMEN AND FAMILIES ACT; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 6359, PREGNANT STUDENTS' RIGHTS ACT; AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.J. RES. 140, PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT RELATING TO PUBLIC LAND ORDER NO. 7917 FOR WITHDRAWAL OF FEDERAL LANDS; COOK, LAKE, AND SAINT LOUIS COUNTIES, MN Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1009 and ask for its immediate consideration. The Clerk read the resolution, as follows: H. Res. 1009 Resolved, That upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the House the bill (H.R. 6945) to amend part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to clarify the authority of States to use funds for pregnancy centers, and for other purposes. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. An amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 119-17 shall be considered as adopted. The bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended, are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, and on any further amendment thereto, to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means or their respective designees; and (2) one motion to recommit. Sec. 2. Upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the House 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. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and Workforce now printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted. The bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended, are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, and on any further amendment thereto, to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and Workforce or their respective designees; and (2) one motion to recommit. Sec. 3. Upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the House the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 140) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of [[Page H1132]] title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN. All points of order against consideration of the joint resolution are waived. The joint resolution shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the joint resolution are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the joint resolution and on any amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Natural Resources or their respective designees; and (2) one motion to recommit. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Georgia is recognized for 1 hour. Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Georgia? There was no objection. Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, last night the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 1009, providing for consideration of three measures. H.R. 6945, the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act, is under a closed rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Ways and Means or their respective designees, and provides one motion to recommit. H.R. 6359, the Pregnant Students' Rights Act, is under a closed rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Education and Workforce or their respective designees, and provides one motion to recommit. H.J. Res. 140, providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN, is under a closed rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Natural Resources or their respective designees, and provides one motion to recommit. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to debate a rule on three pieces of legislation. Beginning with H.R. 6945, the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act. Mr. Speaker, across the country, pregnancy centers serve as trusted, community-based nonprofits that offer a wide range of material assistance and support, including pregnancy testing, prenatal education, parenting classes, ultrasounds, diapers, baby clothing, adoption referrals, and connections to housing and other services. In 2024 alone, these organizations assisted nearly 2 million individuals nationwide, Mr. Speaker. {time} 1220 Despite their longstanding role in supporting families and advancing the core purposes of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, a proposed rule under the previous administration raised uncertainty about whether States could continue partnering with pregnancy centers even though these services clearly align with helping children remain in their homes and reducing dependence on government assistance. H.R. 6945 addresses that uncertainty by making clear that States may not be restricted from choosing to work with pregnancy centers and that Temporary Assistance to Needy Families funds may be used for these services consistent with Federal law. This bill does not mandate participation. Again, Mr. Speaker, this bill does not mandate participation, but instead preserves State flexibility and protects against future administrative overreach. At a time when families are facing rising costs and difficult choices, ensuring access to proven community resources matters. This legislation reinforces support for pregnant and parenting women, respects State decisionmaking, and strengthens efforts to help families thrive. Additionally, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6359, the Pregnant Students' Rights Act. Mr. Speaker, today's student population looks very different than it did decades ago. Nearly one in five undergraduate students is raising children while enrolled, yet many pregnant students remain unaware of the rights and accommodations already available to them under Federal law. While Title IX clearly prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy and requires reasonable accommodation, those protections are only meaningful if students know they exist and understand how to access them. Too often, that information is buried, inconsistently shared, or not communicated at all. H.R. 6359 takes a straightforward approach by requiring colleges and universities that receive Federal student aid to clearly disseminate information regarding pregnant students' rights and available accommodations, as well as both on-campus and community resources. This bill also ensures students know how to file a Title IX complaint if those rights are violated. This legislation does not expand Federal authority or create new rights. Instead, it promotes transparency, consistency, and accountability so that pregnant students can remain enrolled, complete their education, and plan for their futures. By reinforcing access to information respecting existing law, H.R. 6359 supports students, families, and institutions alike. Finally, Mr. Speaker, the rule provides for the consideration of H.J. Res. 140, providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN. The Duluth Complex is home to one of the largest undeveloped mineral reserves in the world. It contains roughly 8 billion tons, Mr. Speaker, of copper and nickel, in addition to cobalt and platinum. It is the world's second largest copper deposit and the world's third largest nickel deposit. Currently, China controls approximately 60 percent of global critical mineral production, and we have seen them use their control over the industry as a bargaining chip. It is clear, Mr. Speaker, that increasing domestic production of critical minerals is vital for America's economic and national security. However, in 2023, the Biden administration issued PLO 7917, which withdrew 225,504 acres from mineral development in the Superior National Forest. This PLO locked these reserves for 20 years and premature

Referenced legislation: HR12, HJRES140, HRES1009, HR6359, HR6945