Pregnant Students' Rights Act stalls in Senate after passing in House

A bill that aims to require colleges to inform pregnant students of their rights has stalled in the Senate after initially passing in the House.

Key Takeaways:

• The Pregnant Students' Rights Act failed to pass a procedural vote in the Senate on Tuesday, preventing the upper chamber from considering it.

• The bill, which is identical to H.R. 6359, would ensure that college students are informed of their rights should they become pregnant.

• H.R. 6359 passed the House last week.

The Details:

On Tuesday, the Senate voted 47-45 in a procedural vote against the Pregnant Students' Rights Act (S. 3627), preventing the upper chamber from even considering it. The bill, which is identical to H.R. 6359, would require colleges to inform pregnant students of their rights. H.R. 6359 passed the House last week in a 217-211 vote, with one Democrat lawmaker voting in favor of it.

Opponents claim that Title IX already prohibits sex-based discrimination, including discrimination against pregnant students. However, House Education and Workforce Chair Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) pointed out that pregnant students are often unaware of those rights and often have abortions or leave school because they wrongly believe they cannot continue their education while pregnant and parenting — a tragic, erroneous message the abortion industry has been sending to girls and women for years.

Students for Life Action (SFAction) is behind the bill. SFLA president Kristan Hawkins explained, "You can see that the cancer of an abortion mentality has eaten into our common decency as too many schools stay silent about services available to pregnant and parenting students who choose LIFE."

The bill, introduced in the House by Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa):

• "Requires colleges and universities to inform prospective and enrolled students on the rights and resources, including protections and accommodations, available for pregnant students while enrolled at the institution, as a condition of Title IV funding."

• "Ensures universities disseminate information regarding the rights and protections for pregnant students to carry a pregnancy to term through emails, student handbooks, at orientation, on university websites, and at student health or counseling centers"

• "Requires universities to inform students how to file a Title IX complaint with the Department of Education or with the institution if a student believes that her Title IX rights were violated"

Under Title IX, colleges and universities must do the following:

• allow a pregnant student to continue participating in classes and extracurricular activities

• provide her with reasonable adjustments like a larger desk, elevator access, and frequent trips to the restroom

• excuse absences and missed deadlines with a doctor's note

• provide the ability to return to the same academic and extracurricular status after medical leave is complete

• make up any missed work

• provide the student with the same services it provides to other students with temporary medical conditions

Why It Matters:

It i vital that students are made aware of their rights before they or a friend becomes pregnant.

Ruth Asmarzadeh was a college student in Colorado when she became pregnant and was pressured to have an abortion. She refused, but her son was born during her final exams, which the school refused to let her reschedule — a violation of her rights, which led to failing grades and, as a result, the loss of her financial aid.

She felt "helpless" and reached out to Students for Life of America, which threw her a baby shower and helped her regain her financial aid. The group even surprised her with a $6,000 scholarship to finish her education.

"I don't like to imagine my life without my son or my education," she told Fox News. "In fact, it breaks my heart knowing at one point I had to choose between the two."