Hinds Today

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) has assisted in introducing legislation aimed at providing crucial support to women during challenging phases of motherhood, including prenatal, postpartum, and early childhood development. The legislation, named the More Opportunities for Moms to Succeed (MOMS) Act (S.4296), was introduced ahead of Mother’s Day by U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.). The act aims to increase access to public and private resources and assistance to help mothers and their children thrive.

“The best thing about this legislation is that it is completely pro-moms and pro-babies. It would offer women the support they need to have a healthy pregnancy, no matter where they live in this great country,” said Hyde-Smith, chair of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus. “The MOMS Act is affirmation of the pro-life policies to which we recommitted after the Dobbs decision. I’m pleased to support it.”

Senator Britt added her perspective as a mother: “As a mom, I know firsthand that there is no greater blessing in life than our children and understand the types of challenges that women face during their pregnancy journeys and while raising their kids. This legislation is further evidence that you can absolutely be pro-life, pro-woman, and pro-family at the same time."

If enacted, the resources and programs authorized by the MOMS Act could help Mississippi overcome some disparities outlined in a 2023 March of Dimes report. The report found that 51.2 percent of its counties are defined as maternity care deserts compared to 32.6 percent nationally. It also revealed that almost a quarter of Mississippi women had no birthing hospital within 30 minutes and nearly 14 percent of pregnant women received inadequate or no prenatal care.

The MOMS Act proposes several measures such as establishing "Pregnancy.gov" as a federal clearinghouse of resources available to expecting and postpartum moms, improving access to pre- and post-natal resources, and requiring states to apply child support obligations during pregnancy.

The MOMS Act has received endorsements from several organizations including Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Americans United for Life, March for Life Action, the National Right to Life Committee, and the Family Policy Alliance. Hyde-Smith also introduced the Pregnancy Center Support Act earlier this year, which proposes a 50 percent tax credit to incentivize voluntary contributions to pregnancy centers.