WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Ways and Means Committee advanced four bills that collectively improve the health, wellbeing, and stability of families and children, in addition to speeding IRS processing of tax returns. 

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) issued the following statement following the Committee’s successful markup: 

“Democrats proved yesterday that they only care about a women’s right to choose so long as their party agrees with that choice. It was disappointing, but not surprising, that every single Committee Democrat voted against pregnant women and mothers having the option of getting maternal care at a pregnancy resource center simply because it doesn’t align with their political agenda. Washington Democrats don’t believe in choice – they believe in control.

“Our committee also came together to protect the wellbeing and stability of American children and families. Delinquent parents who owe thousands in child support will now face consequences of a revoked passport under legislation approved by the committee. We also acted to help unemployed Americans have the chance to start their own small business as a path back to employment. And with the 2026 tax filing season scheduled to start in a few weeks, this Committee passed legislation that will speed future IRS processing of tax returns and get refunds to taxpayers sooner.”

Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act (H.R. 6945)

• Pregnancy centers are non-profit, faith-based organizations that have a pro-life mission and provide services to pregnant women and families including pregnancy testing, prenatal and pregnancy education, ultrasounds, adoption referrals, diapers, baby clothes, linkages to housing, and other material supports. 
• Over 2,700 pregnancy centers across the country aided nearly two million people in 2024. 
• Many states use TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) funding to support pregnancy centers which meet the law’s purposes by providing material support and assistance to women in need. 
• The Biden Administration proposed a rule preemptively suggesting state TANF spending on pregnancy resource centers would no longer be allowable. Under pressure from the Ways and Means Committee, the rule was withdrawn. 
• There is a need to ensure future Administrations do not pursue similar actions. 
• This bill amends TANF law to prohibit discrimination against pregnancy centers and clarify that use of funds for pregnancy centers is allowable. 

Read a fact sheet on the bill here.

The bill passed the Committee by 25-18.  

Ensuring Children Receive Support Act (H.R. 6903)

• Child support constitutes a significant portion of income for low-income families, totaling an average of 41 percent of income when received, and helps reduce poverty and reliance on welfare. 
• The State Department, through the Passport Denial Program, must refuse to issue a passport if an individual owes more than $2,500 in past-due child support and may revoke, restrict, or limit an already-issued passport. 
• In 2024, states reported nearly $30 million in collections through the Passport Denial Program. 
• The bill changes the program to require the State Department to revoke a passport that was previously issued rather than waiting until the time for renewal. 

Read a fact sheet on the bill here.

The bill passed the Committee 40-2.  

New Opportunities for Business Ownership and Self-Sufficiency (NO BOSS) Act (H.R. 6431)

• The Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) program is a voluntary program that offers qualifying unemployment insurance (UI) claimants the option to create their own jobs by starting a small business. 
• SEA participants are required to be actively engaged on a full-time basis in self-employment assistance activities relating to the establishment of a business.  
• A state may allow up to five percent of UI claimants to participate, and the program is limited to claimants who are most likely to exhaust their weekly benefits. 
• The bill increases the participation cap from five to 10 percent and expands eligibility to all UI claimants, not just those determined most likely to exhaust their benefits. 
• SEA participants must participate in self-employment assistance activities, including submitting a business plan and market feasibility study and certify activities to the relevant state agency for weekly approval. 

Read a fact sheet on the bill here.

The bill passed the Committee 41-0.  

Barcode Automation for Revenue Collection to Organize Disbursement and Enhance (BARCODE) Efficiency Act (H.R. 6956)

• Approximately 10.5 million tax returns were filed on paper in 2025. During that tax season, the National Taxpayer Advocate found “processing delays continued to impact paper returns…and correspondence.” 
• The bill requires that tax returns prepared electronically, but filed on paper, include a barcode that the IRS could digitize by scanning. This will speed IRS processing of these returns. 
• Additionally, the IRS will be required to transcribe handwritten returns and paper correspondence using scanning technology. 
• Currently, these items are manually input into the IRS system, contributing to backlog, delay, and additional layers of bureaucracy.

Read a fact sheet on the bill here.

The bill passed the Committee 42-0.