Pregnant Students' Rights Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. OMAR. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Pregnant Students' Rights Act, which fails to expand meaningful support and accommodations for students.

As a pregnant and parent college student, I have personal experience when it comes to this topic. When I was 19 and in college, I became pregnant with my first daughter and, shortly after, my son.

I know the challenges of navigating the education system while balancing motherhood responsibilities. I know how isolating it can be. I know how critical it is for students to have comprehensive information about their choices, options, resources, and accommodations.

That is why, when I was in the Minnesota State Legislature, I introduced and passed a bill that not only required institutions to provide pregnant and parent students information about their rights and resources for prenatal and postnatal care but also created a grant program to fund activities that support enrollment, retention, academic success, and graduation.

H.R. 6914 is a do-nothing, empty messaging bill that masquerades to support pregnant and parent students but neglects their actual needs.

Based on my own experience as a young mom in college and the available data, I know that pregnant and parent students need strong Title IX protections; access to affordable childcare, early education, and pre-K services; expansion of student-parent programs, child- friendly study rooms, and lactation accommodations; assistance with basic needs, such as food, housing, transportation, and supplies to ensure that these students and their families have the support they need to thrive.

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Ms. OMAR. That is why I plan on introducing a bill that not only requires institutions to provide pregnant and parent students with comprehensive information on all the options and resources available to them but also increases the resources and accommodations that are necessary for student success. I hope that my friends on the other side of the aisle will help support that bill and reject the current bill that we are voting on.

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