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1 1 (January 19, 2024)

handle is hein.crs/goveobb0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Sa Research Service Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Pregnancy Centers Updated January 19, 2024 The House has passed legislation (H.R. 6918) seeking to forestall the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from implementing a proposed regulation that might limit the use of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant funds at pregnancy centers. The bill defines a pregnancy center as an entity that supports protecting the life of the mother and the unborn child and offers resources and services to the mothers, fathers, and families. These centers sometimes receive funds through TANF subgrants from the states in Alternatives to Abortion programs. States that are found using TANF funding improperly are penalized by HHS through a reduction in their block grant. The bill would prohibit HHS from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing any modification to existing regulations with respect to pregnancy centers regarding what is considered a proper or improper use of TANF funds. TANF Use of Funds and the Proposed Regulation The TANF block grant and associated nonfederal dollars fund a wide range of benefits, services, and activities related to both ameliorating the effects of, or stemming the root causes of, childhood economic and social disadvantage. It is best known for funding ongoing cash assistance for low-income families with children (sometimes called welfare). However, the overarching purpose of TANF is to increase state flexibility to achieve four statutory goals: 1. assist needy families so they can live in their own homes or the homes of their relatives; 2. end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits through work, job preparation, and marriage; 3. reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and 4. promote the formation and maintenance of two-parent families. States have the authority to use TANF funds in any manner reasonably calculated to achieve the overarching TANF purpose and the four goals. There are some prohibitions on the use of TANF funds. For example, the statute prohibits states from using TANF funds for medical services other than pre- pregnancy family planning. Aside from specific prohibitions, however, states have broad flexibility in the Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov IN12302 CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress

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