Senator Scott Joined By Colleagues to Lead Senate Effort To Protect Health Services For Mothers & Babies

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-SC), David Perdue (R-GA), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced bipartisan legislation to allow March of Dimes to continue its lifesaving work on behalf of all moms and babies.

The Protecting Critical Services for Mothers and Babies Act allows March of Dimes to qualify for the same pension funding rules as many other charities and non-profit organizations. Specifically, the bill would designate March of Dimes as a Cooperative and Small Employer Charity (CSEC) pension sponsor to provide it with more predictable and affordable pension funding options.

The change would have no impact on retirees or other participants, and it would come at no cost to taxpayers.

“The March of Dimes organization provides some of our most vulnerable citizens, mothers and infants, with crucial support as they face the challenges of raising a child,” said Senator Scott. “March of Dimes shouldn’t have to choose between providing a reasonable legacy pension program to its employees or continuing their organizational mission. I am proud to support legislation that will allow March of Dimes to continue its mission of lifesaving research, educational resources, and advocacy efforts.”

“March of Dimes does incredible work to support mothers and children,” said Senator Perdue. “Through research, education, and advocacy, March of Dimes helps address the unique challenges that come with growing a family. Our bill simply allows March of Dimes to qualify for the same pension program as other non-profit organizations. Ultimately, this small change ensures March of Dimes can continue lifesaving medical research and programming.”

“March of Dimes has played a critical role in serving mothers and babies for more than eight decades,” said Senator Kaine. “I’m thrilled they decided to move their headquarters to Crystal City, and I’m pleased to support their important work with bipartisan legislation that will ensure they are subject to the same pension funding rules as many other non-profits and charities.”

“This bill will allow March of Dimes to continue fulfilling its lifesaving mission fighting for the health of moms and babies in communities across the country and the globe,” said Senator Warner. 

“March of Dimes extends its deep appreciation to Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA), Rep. Rob Woodall (R-GA), Sen. David Perdue (R-GA), and Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) for their leadership on bipartisan legislation introduced today that will help us continue to fight for the health of all moms and babies,” said Stacey D. Stewart, President and CEO of March of Dimes. “The legislation allows March of Dimes to have the same predictable and consistent pension funding rules as many other non-profits and charities with legacy pensions. That will ensure we can continue to fund cutting edge research to prevent pre-term birth, implement education and support programs for pregnant women and their families, and work on policy solutions to address our nation’s maternal and infant health crisis. We look forward to working with Congress to enact this commonsense legislation as soon as possible.”

Click here to view text of the bill.

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