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A bill is pending in the Pennsylvania legislature which would limit the amount of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) offered to low-income women based on the amount of children they conceive while covered under the program.

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Yet, the Representatives seek to cut funding even more if a women gives birth while on public assistance.

There is an exception: a woman may ask to be excused from the rule if the pregnancy is the result of a rape or incest and if the mother can provide proof that she reported her sexual assault and her abuser’s identity to the police (or to the county child protective service agency if she’s a minor). The woman has to request the exception by signing a sworn statement and the statement must be verified by the respective authorities. These requirements were included in the bill despite the fact that more than half of all sexual assaults are not reported to the authorities out of fear of retaliation, worries that they will not be believed or shame (or all of the above).

There’s no exception for religious reasons. No exception for accidental pregnancies (remember that no birth control is 100% effective). No exception if you happened to get pregnant and lose your job or worse, become widowed.

Just rape or incest – and only if you can prove it.

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