House BillHR 7235Government Operations and Politics
Protecting Motherhood Act
INTRO JAN 23· LAST ACTION JAN 23
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
37
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it establishes a specific linguistic policy for the entire federal government regarding how it refers to individuals who are pregnant or give birth. If passed, it would remove gender-neutral language like "birthing person" from all official documents, ensuring that terms like "mother" and "woman" are consistently used instead. This change aligns with a view that these roles are specific to biological sex.
For voters, this bill reflects a broader cultural debate about language, gender identity, and traditional definitions of parenthood. If it becomes law, it will standardize terminology across federal agencies, which some will see as promoting clarity and upholding traditional biological distinctions, while others may view it as an exclusionary measure that does not recognize gender identity beyond biological sex, potentially alienating certain communities from government services and communications. If it doesn't pass, agencies would retain their discretion to use various terms, including gender-neutral ones, in their documents.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Prohibits federal agencies from using the term "birthing person" or any variation of it in official documents, including regulations, forms, and communications.
This provision directly changes the required language used by the federal government when referring to pregnant or birthing individuals.
PROVISION 02
Allows federal agencies to use specific terms such as "female," "mother," "pregnant female," "pregnant woman," or "woman" when referring to a female who is pregnant, giving birth, or a parent of a child.
This provision clarifies the acceptable and preferred terminology that agencies must adopt in place of the prohibited term.
PROVISION 03
Defines "female" as a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large reproductive cell, and "mother" as a female parent of a child.
These definitions establish a biological basis for the specified terminology used throughout federal government documents.
PROVISION 04
The changes specified in the bill will take effect 30 days after the date the Act becomes law.
This sets a clear timeframe for federal agencies to implement the new language requirements.
This bill matters because it establishes a specific linguistic policy for the entire federal government regarding how it refers to individuals who are pregnant or give birth. If passed, it would remove gender-neutral language like "birthing person" from all official documents, ensuring that terms like "mother" and "woman" are consistently used instead. This change aligns with a view that these roles are specific to biological sex.
For voters, this bill reflects a broader cultural debate about language, gender identity, and traditional definitions of parenthood. If it becomes law, it will standardize terminology across federal agencies, which some will see as promoting clarity and upholding traditional biological distinctions, while others may view it as an exclusionary measure that does not recognize gender identity beyond biological sex, potentially alienating certain communities from government services and communications. If it doesn't pass, agencies would retain their discretion to use various terms, including gender-neutral ones, in their documents.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Prohibits federal agencies from using the term "birthing person" or any variation of it in official documents, including regulations, forms, and communications.
This provision directly changes the required language used by the federal government when referring to pregnant or birthing individuals.
high
Allows federal agencies to use specific terms such as "female," "mother," "pregnant female," "pregnant woman," or "woman" when referring to a female who is pregnant, giving birth, or a parent of a child.
This provision clarifies the acceptable and preferred terminology that agencies must adopt in place of the prohibited term.
high
Defines "female" as a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large reproductive cell, and "mother" as a female parent of a child.
These definitions establish a biological basis for the specified terminology used throughout federal government documents.
low
The changes specified in the bill will take effect 30 days after the date the Act becomes law.
This sets a clear timeframe for federal agencies to implement the new language requirements.
30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act
Effective date for the prohibition on using the term "birthing person" and the required terminology.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Agency
Any executive department, military department, Government corporation, Government-controlled corporation, or other establishment in the executive branch of the Government, including any independent regulatory agency.
Birthing person
A term used to refer to an individual who is pregnant or giving birth, often employed to be gender-inclusive of people who do not identify as women but can become pregnant.
Female
A person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large reproductive cell (egg).
Mother
A female parent of a child.
Pregnant female
A person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large reproductive cell and who is carrying an unborn child.
Pregnant woman
An adult human female who is carrying an unborn child.
Woman
An adult human female.
Official document
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
JAN 23
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
JAN 23
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
