Congresswoman Tenney, Senator Cramer Reintroduce Legislation Allowing Pregnant Mothers to Receive Child Support

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) and Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) today reintroduced the Unborn Child Support Act in support of mothers-to-be and their children.

The Unborn Child Support Act allows pregnant women to receive retroactive child support payments during pregnancy. Critically, this legislation recognizes the needs of mothers and enables them to opt-in to receive prenatal payments, should they choose to pursue them via the court system. Under the bill, judges would be required to consult with mothers on payment plans and give mothers discretion as to whether or not child support payments will be awarded retroactively. The bill also directs all paternity tests to be at the discretion of the mother and not be conducted if the test puts the child at risk.

“By enabling child support to begin at conception, we empower mothers with financial assistance while respecting their freedom to make the best choices for themselves and their unborn children,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The Unborn Child Support Act emphasizes the value of life from the very beginning of pregnancy and provides vital support to mothers. If a mother chooses to seek prenatal child support, we must ensure she and her unborn child receive the resources and assistance they deserve.”

“I believe life begins at conception and therefore, our duty to care for mothers also begins at conception,” said Senator Cramer. “What our bill does, is empowers moms to simply seek prenatal child support and rightly puts the financial obligation on fathers to help provide for their unborn children. We should encourage motherhood and fully support them along the way.”

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