Unborn Child Support Act aims to support mothers during pregnancy

Mothers could soon get paid child support before their child is even born. Senate Republicans are working to pass legislation that would financially support mothers while still pregnant. On Thursday, Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) introduced the Unborn Child Support Act. It’s an effort from Republicans following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. Republicans argue this legislation is meant to support women who choose life over abortion.

“Caring for the well-being of our children begins long before a baby is born,” Sen. Kramer said. “It begins at the first moment of life – conception – and fathers have obligations, financial and otherwise, during pregnancy. Mothers should be able to access child support payments as soon as she is supporting a child. Our bill makes this possible.”

“We should do everything we can to support American mothers and their children,” Sen. Rubio said. “This bill would allow expecting mothers to prepare and support their babies before they are born.”

Specifics of the Unborn Child Support Act include:

• Child support payments would begin the month of conception. The start date for such obligations may begin with the first month in which the child was conceived, as determined by a physician and shall begin with that month if the mother so requests.
• Payments can be retroactively collected including in the case where paternity is established subsequent to the birth of the child. The payment amount for such obligations shall be determined by a court, in consultation with the mother, taking into account the best interests of the mother and child.
• A mother’s consent is required before any paternity test is taken. Any measure to establish the paternity of a child, born or unborn, shall not be required without the consent of the mother. Any measure to establish the paternity of an unborn child shall not be taken if the measure poses any risk of harm to the child if unborn.

This measure is just one of several pro-life legislative pieces drafted in the post-Roe era. Rubio introduced another bill Friday called the Providing for Life Act.