• Senate blocks 47-45 GOP measure requiring colleges to inform pregnant students of accommodations
• Democrats call bill back-door abortion ban; GOP says it is basic transparency
• Vote spotlights reproductive-rights rift in higher-ed policy ahead of 2026 elections

WASHINGTON, DC (TDR) — Senate Republicans on Jan. 28 failed to advance legislation that would require colleges to inform pregnant students about accommodations and resources available to them, as Democrats blocked the bill in a 47-45 procedural vote that highlighted the deepening partisan divide over reproductive rights in education policy.

Bill Falls Short of 60-Vote Threshold

The Pregnant Students Right to Know Act needed 60 votes to open debate; GOP leaders could not peel off enough moderates after Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) kept his caucus united against the motion.

“Today’s vote is a green light for campuses to hide diaper vouchers and lactation rooms from students who need them.” —Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Jan. 28, 2026

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Every Republican present voted yes; all 45 Democrats voted no, while three senators—Joe Manchin (D-WV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA)—were absent.

What the GOP Bill Would Require

S. 94 would compel any college receiving federal student-aid dollars to:

• Post pregnancy-resource signage in dorms, health centers and syllabi;
• Provide written notice of Title IX accommodations (excused absences, extended deadlines, lactation rooms);
• File annual reports to the Department of Education detailing how many pregnant students requested or received assistance.

“This is basic transparency—if you accept taxpayer money, tell students what help exists.” —Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Jan. 28, 2026

Non-compliant schools would face fines starting at $25,000 and risk loss of federal grants.

Democrats Decry Back-Door Abortion Ban

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Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) argued the bill is a Trojan horse designed to pressure campuses into steering pregnant students away from abortion.

“The fine print forces schools to promote so-called crisis-pregnancy centers that peddle junk science.” —Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Jan. 28, 2026

Democrats also warned that annual reporting could out students who wish to keep pregnancies private.

Higher-Ed Lobby Split

The American Council on Education remained neutral, while NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators opposed the measure, citing unfunded mandates and privacy concerns.

“We support pregnant students, but one-size-fits-all federal signage is not the answer.” —Kevin Kruger, NASPA president, Jan. 28, 2026

By contrast, Students for Life called the vote a slap in the face to parenting students.

Campus Data Behind the Debate

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, roughly 400,000 undergraduates become pregnant annually; yet only one in three schools voluntarily publicizes Title IX accommodations.

A 2025 Government Accountability Office audit found 73 percent of colleges fail to post lactation-room locations online and 60 percent do not list pregnancy-related absences policies in student handbooks.

Political Fallout and 2026 Map

Republicans framed the vote as election-year ammunition in swing states with large student populations.

“Every Democrat who voted no just told 400,000 pregnant students they don’t matter.” —Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Jan. 28, 2026

Democrats counter that the bill is culture-war red meat designed to energize the GOP base ahead of Nov. 8 battles for Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Arizona—all home to major universities.

Prospects for Revival

Ernst told reporters she will re-file the measure as an amendment to the upcoming Higher Education Reauthorization Act, forcing another floor vote before summer recess.

“This issue isn’t going away. We’ll bring it back until every campus tells pregnant students the truth.” —Sen. Joni Ernst, Jan. 28, 2026

Schumer signaled he will block any attempt to attach the language to broader education bills, leaving the proposal’s future uncertain.

Will Republicans succeed in making campus pregnancy transparency a campaign wedge, or will Democrats keep the bill locked in procedural limbo?

Sources

This report was compiled using information from the Senate Bill 94 text and roll-call vote, Senate roll-call record Jan. 28, Sen. Ernst floor speech transcript, Sen. Murray opposition statement, Department of Education Title IX guidance, NCES pregnancy data table, GAO campus pregnancy audit, ACE institutional response, and Students for Life advocacy release.

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