WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today voted to advance the Pregnant Students' Rights Act on the floor of the U.S. Senate. This legislation, of which Graham is a co-sponsor, would require colleges and universities receiving federal funds to inform their campuses of the rights and resources available to pregnant students. Unfortunately, the legislation was blocked by Senate Democrats.

This bill aligns with Senator Graham's pro-life agenda by supporting pregnant mothers enrolled in higher education programs. By providing pregnant students with information about their educational rights and the accommodations accessible to them, the goal is to give these expecting student mothers better support so they can choose life for their unborn children and continue their education.

"As a firm defender of the right to life, I believe one of the primary responsibilities of the pro-life movement is to help expecting mothers throughout their pregnancy. The Pregnant Students' Rights Act does just that by informing pregnant college students of their accommodations and rights as both mothers and students. That is why I'm proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation, which will ensure mothers won't have to choose between their education and their unborn child," said Graham. "I am deeply disappointed -- but unfortunately not surprised -- by my Democrat colleagues' decision to block this common-sense, pro-mother and child proposal. When presented with the opportunity to stand with women and children, Senate Democrats instead chose to cave to the radical, pro-abortion lobby."

Background on the Pregnant Students' Rights Act:

• Amends the Higher Education Act to ensure all college students who are pregnant or may become pregnant know their rights and protections to carry a pregnancy to term.
• Ensures universities provide information regarding rights and protections for pregnant students via emails, student handbooks, at orientation, on publicly available websites, and at student health or counseling centers.
• These resources include:
• • List of campus resources to help pregnant students and new mothers
  • Accommodations provided by the school for pregnant students and new mothers, including flexible class schedules, excused absences and childcare assistance
• Requires universities to inform students how to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if there is a Title IX violation regarding protections for pregnant students.

In addition to Graham, this legislation is cosponsored by Senators Ashley Moody (R-Florida), Jim Banks (R-Indiana), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Jim Justice (R-West Virginia), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Dave McCormick (R-Pennsylvania), Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), John Thune (R-South Dakota) and Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi).

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