H. R. 7235
Introduced in House · February 5, 2026January 23, 2026
Mrs. Biggs of South Carolina (for herself, Mr. Timmons, Mrs. Bice, Mr. Crane, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Steube, Ms. Mace, Mr. Ogles, Mr. Tiffany, Ms. Boebert, Mr. Roy, Mrs. Harshbarger, Mr. Perry, Mr. Moore of Alabama, Ms. Letlow, Mrs. Miller of Illinois, and Mr. Harris of Maryland) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
A BILL
To prohibit agencies from using the term “birthing person” in official documents.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. Short title.
This Act may be cited as the “Protecting Motherhood Act”.
SEC. 2. Prohibition on use of the term “birthing person”.
- (a) Prohibitions.—An agency may not use the term “birthing person” (or any variation thereof) in any official document, including a regulation, guidance, form, or communication.
- (b) Required terminology.—An agency may use the term “female”, “mother”, “pregnant female”, “pregnant woman”, or “woman” when referring to a female who is pregnant, giving birth, or a parent of a child.
- (c) Definitions.—In this section:
- (1) AGENCY.—The term “agency” has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code.
female.— (2) FEMALE.—The term “female” means a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large reproductive cell.
mother.— (3) MOTHER.—The term “mother” means a female parent of a child.
pregnant female.— (4) PREGNANT FEMALE.—The term “pregnant female” means a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large productive cell and who is carrying an unborn child.
pregnant woman.— (5) PREGNANT WOMAN.—The term “pregnant woman” means an adult human female who is carrying an unborn child.
woman.— (6) WOMAN.—The term “woman” means an adult human female.
Effective date.—(d) Effective date.—This section shall take effect 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.