American Values Act
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
This bill makes permanent the existing restrictions that prevent federal funds from being used for abortion or involuntary sterilization, codifying long-standing appropriations language into law.
Why it matters: Protecting federal funds from supporting abortion aligns with Christian convictions about the sanctity of life and ensures taxpayer money is not used contrary to these values, a key concern for Christian families.
Topic: Sanctity of life · classifier confidence 92%
What this changes
Creates a new law or program
Law today: The bill does not spell out the prior law, but the title and summary indicate that current appropriations acts contain temporary restrictions on the use of federal funds for abortions and involuntary sterilizations that expire or must be renewed periodically.
If passed: This bill would make those existing restrictions permanent federal law rather than temporary annual riders, meaning federal funds could never be used to pay for abortions or involuntary sterilizations unless Congress votes to change the underlying statute. This removes the need for Congress to re-enact these restrictions every budget cycle.
AI-generated from the bill text — verify against the official text.
Likely supporters & opponents
Likely support
- pro-life groups — Permanent law better protects unborn life by ensuring no federal tax dollars support abortion without an affirmative act of Congress to reverse it.
- religious-liberty advocacy organizations — Permanent restrictions respect the conscience rights of taxpayers, especially people of faith, who object to their money funding abortion.
Likely opposition
- reproductive-rights advocacy organizations — Permanent restrictions limit access to abortion services and make it harder to provide care to low-income and vulnerable women.
- civil-liberties groups — Permanent bans are inflexible and prevent lawmakers from responding to changing circumstances without a full legislative reversal.
AI-inferred typical positions based on the bill’s substance — general stakeholder categories, not confirmed endorsements.
Should I support this?
Likely helpful for Christian families
For Christian parents who believe life begins at conception and that stewardship includes not funding abortion, a permanent federal restriction aligns with that conviction by removing the annual political battle and ensuring federal funds never subsidize abortion unless explicitly authorized by new law.
An AI assessment from a Christian-family perspective — religious freedom, parental rights, and freedom in education — not legal or voting advice.
Official summary
A bill to permanently enact certain appropriations Act restrictions on the use of funds for abortions and involuntary sterilizations, and for other purposes.
Sponsors
- James Risch (R)
- Roger Marshall (R)
- Rand Paul (R)
- Rick Scott (R)
- Markwayne Mullin (R)
- Marsha Blackburn (R)
- Steve Daines (R)
- Tim Sheehy (R)
- Pete Ricketts (R)
- Bill Hagerty (R)
- Ted Cruz (R)
- John Barrasso (R)
- Todd Young (R)
- Jon Husted (R)
- David McCormick (R)
Status timeline
- 2025-01-30Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.S
H = House · S = Senate · A = Assembly