Celebrating the Gift of Life 

Life is a gift worthy of protection, care, and support at every stage. On January 31st, I, along with hundreds of other Nebraskans, will gather at our state capital to affirm the dignity of every human life while acknowledging the responsibility we share to support every mother and family.

Across Nebraska and throughout the country, pregnancy resource centers are at the heart of this responsibility. These centers walk alongside expectant mothers and families during moments often marked by overwhelming uncertainty or fear. They offer compassion, encouragement, and practical help when it is needed most. Serving as an important reminder for expectant mothers that they are not alone and their lives—and the lives of their children—matter. 

Pregnancy centers provide critical services that empower women and their families to choose life —from diapers, food, and prenatal vitamins to parenting and relationship education, transportation assistance, and more. These organizations meet real needs with meaningful support, ensuring that families have access to the resources they need to thrive.

In 2024 alone, more than 2,700 pregnancy centers nationwide served nearly two million people, delivering an estimated $452 million in services and material assistance. This impact is real, measurable, and deeply personal for the families they served.

Nebraska has long recognized the value of this work by utilizing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to support pregnancy centers through the Crisis Pregnancy Program. This vital program promotes childbirth and parenting while enabling more mothers and their families to choose life. As a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has direct jurisdiction over TANF, I have long fought to ensure that states focus their TANF spending on the neediest among us. I am proud Nebraska’s continued support for pregnant women and the unborn clearly meets this standard.  

This approach reflects congressional intent when TANF was created in 1996, which granted states like ours the flexibility to meet the unique needs of local communities. Unfortunately, this flexibility came under threat in 2023, when the Biden Administration proposed a rule singling out pregnancy centers and suggesting states could no longer use TANF funds to support them. Although the rule was never finalized, it highlighted the importance of protecting pregnancy centers from discrimination, now and in the future.  

For this reason, I proudly supported the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act, which passed the House earlier this month. This vital legislation ensures that states may continue to use TANF funds to support pregnancy centers and prevent future discrimination against organizations that serve mothers and families choosing life.

Celebrating the gift of life means standing with both mother and child, not only in words but through meaningful action. As Nebraskans gather this weekend to affirm the right to life, we must also reaffirm our responsibility to provide real support for mothers and families facing difficult circumstances. In Congress, I remain committed to defending the unborn and ensuring families across our state receive the support they need to thrive.