Empowering Moms Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-MN-7]
- Committees
- Ways and Means Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Sep 16, 2026
Bottom line
The "Empowering Moms Act" aims to centralize and make accessible a wide array of support services for mothers, while specifically excluding abortion providers from participation or funding, thereby shaping the landscape of federally promoted maternal support.
What it actually does
The bill amends the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to update and maintain the moms.gov website as a comprehensive resource directory for pregnant and postpartum women and women parenting young children. It mandates the creation of a searchable database of federal, state, local, and private resources, and establishes a grant program for states to aggregate these resources, explicitly prohibiting entities that provide abortions (with limited exceptions for rape, incest, or life-endangering physical conditions) from being listed or receiving grants.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue this bill provides a crucial, centralized platform to connect mothers with vital support services, ensuring they have access to resources for health, financial stability, childcare, and mental well-being. They would emphasize the focus on comprehensive support for women and children, and the transparency in resource availability, particularly highlighting the inclusion of "abortion pill reversal" and "alternatives to abortion" information as empowering choices. The exclusion of entities providing most abortions is framed as aligning federal support with life-affirming options.
Opponents contend
Opponents would contend that while a resource directory is beneficial, the bill's explicit exclusion of certain healthcare providers based on their abortion services (even if they offer other comprehensive women's health services) creates a biased and incomplete resource for women. They might argue this limitation restricts access to a full spectrum of reproductive healthcare information and services, potentially steering women towards specific ideological viewpoints rather than comprehensive, unbiased medical advice, and could disproportionately affect women in areas with limited healthcare options.
The bill is short and relatively easy to read, allowing ample time for a thorough review of its provisions and implications.
Section 2, amending Section 511(m)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act.
Establishment and Features of the Updated Moms.gov Website
This provision requires the Secretary of HHS to update the existing moms.gov website within one year. The updated site must serve as a clearinghouse for resources for pregnant and postpartum women and those parenting young children. It will include a searchable database allowing users to find relevant resources by ZIP Code and distance, and an optional assessment for users to receive follow-up outreach.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this creates a vital, accessible tool for mothers to navigate the complex landscape of available support, ensuring no woman is left without knowledge of resources that can help her and her family.
Critics contend
While the concept of a resource directory is generally supported, critics might argue that the subsequent restrictions on listed entities (see "Prohibition regarding certain entities") undermine the comprehensiveness and neutrality of this resource.
Tradeoffs
The tension lies between providing a broad resource and potentially limiting the scope of information based on specific criteria.
Section 2, amending Section 511(m)(1)(B)(iii) of the Social Security Act.
Grants to States for Resource Aggregation Systems
This provision authorizes the Secretary to provide grants to states. These grants are intended to help states establish or support systems that aggregate relevant resources for mothers, adhering to criteria set by the Secretary (including the prohibition on certain entities). States must submit applications detailing their outreach plans and lists of resources.
Section 2, amending Section 511(m)(1)(C) and (G)(i) of the Social Security Act.
Exclusion of Prohibited Entities from Website and Grants
This critical provision defines a "prohibited entity" as a 501(c)(3) essential community provider primarily engaged in family planning, reproductive health, and related medical care that provides abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the woman. The bill explicitly states that no such "prohibited entity" may be listed as a relevant resource on moms.gov or receive grants under the state program.
Section 2, amending Section 511(m)(1)(G)(ii) of the Social Security Act.
Definition and Categories of Relevant Resources
This section broadly defines "relevant resources" to include federal, state, local, and private resources serving pregnant and postpartum women or women parenting young children. It then lists numerous categories, such as mentorship, health and well-being (including "abortion pill reversal" and "breastfeeding"), financial aid, childcare, mental health services, prenatal diagnostic services, support for abortion survivors, adoption/foster care, alternatives to abortion, information on abortion risks, and child development from conception.
Section 2, amending Section 511(m)(2) of the Social Security Act.
Public List of Funding Opportunities for Pregnancy Support Centers
This provision requires the Secretary to compile and maintain a publicly available list on the moms.gov website of federal funding opportunities specifically for nonprofit and healthcare entities that offer or provide the "relevant resources" (as defined in the bill) for pregnancy support services.
Defines "prohibited entity" as a 501(c)(3) essential community provider primarily engaged in family planning, reproductive health, and related medical care that provides abortions, unless the abortion is for rape, incest, or to save the woman's life. These entities are explicitly excluded from moms.gov listings and state grants.
Section 2, amending Section 511(m)(1)(G)(i) of the Social Security Act.
Why it matters:This level of detail is standard legislative practice for definitions, but its placement might obscure the precise scope of the exclusion for a casual reader.
Case for: Supporters argue that a precise definition is necessary to ensure that federal resources are directed in a manner consistent with the bill's intent to promote life-affirming maternal support services, while still allowing for exceptions in extreme circumstances.
Case against: Critics contend that the detailed definition, particularly the specific exceptions, highlights the ideological nature of the exclusion, effectively targeting a broad range of reproductive health providers while claiming to offer comprehensive maternal care.
Estimated impact: This definition significantly shapes the entire scope and utility of the moms.gov website and the state grant program, impacting which organizations can participate and what information is presented to users.