Rules Committee Hearing H.R. 6945, 6359, H.J.Res. 140

The House Rules Committee convened to discuss three key pieces of legislation: H.R. 6945, H.R. 6359, and H.J.Res. 140. H.R. 6945, the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act, aims to codify states' ability to use Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to support pregnancy resource centers, emphasizing state flexibility and opposing Biden administration rules that sought to restrict such funding. H.R. 6359, the Pregnant Students Rights Act, requires colleges to inform pregnant students of their rights and available resources to support them through pregnancy and parenting while pursuing education. H.J.Res. 140 seeks to disapprove a Bureau of Land Management rule that withdrew federal lands in Minnesota from mineral development, with proponents highlighting the importance of accessing critical minerals for national security and opponents emphasizing environmental protection of the Boundary Waters wilderness. The meeting featured robust debate on the balance between supporting families and protecting environmental resources, as well as discussions on the oversight and use of federal funds, particularly TANF. The committee ultimately moved forward with closed rules for all three measures, including a rejected amendment that would have prohibited TANF funding to pregnancy centers found to provide misleading medical information.