Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 4265

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-30: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-06-24T08:07:59Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act of 2025 aims to provide federal financial support to help individuals overcome travel and logistical barriers when seeking abortion services. It addresses challenges created by the 2022 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which ended the nationwide constitutional right to abortion established in Roe v. Wade. The act focuses on funding community organizations to assist people facing restrictions, particularly in states with abortion bans or severe limits, by covering non-medical costs like transportation and support services.

Key Provisions

• Grant Program Administration: The Secretary of the Treasury can award grants to eligible entities—defined as nonprofit or community-based organizations that provide unbiased, accurate assistance to people seeking abortions (excluding any that discourage abortions). Grants begin with application solicitations within 30 days of enactment.
• Permissible Uses of Funds:
• Cover travel-related expenses such as round-trip transportation, lodging, meals, childcare, translation services, doula care (non-medical support during pregnancy or abortion), patient education, and lost wages.
• Up to 15% of funds can support organizational needs, including community outreach, infrastructure maintenance, website development, staff training, and capacity building.
• Funds cannot be used for the cost of the abortion procedure itself.
• Application and Selection Process: Entities apply with details determined by the Secretary. Priority goes to organizations serving people in areas with abortion bans or restrictions, those facilitating out-of-state travel, or those with existing or planned programs for abortion access.
• Reporting Requirements: The Secretary must submit annual reports to Congress starting 180 days after enactment, detailing program activities without revealing personal information.
• Preemption and Protections: The act overrides any state, tribal, territorial, or local laws that block the use of these funds. Federal agencies administering the program cannot cooperate with state-level investigations, prosecutions, or lawsuits targeting abortion-related activities under the program.
• Funding Authorization: $350 million is authorized annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This legislation introduces a new federal grant program specifically for abortion travel and logistical support, which did not exist before. It marks a shift by using federal funds to directly counter state-level abortion restrictions post-Dobbs, including a preemption clause that federalizes certain aspects of abortion access support. Previously, such assistance relied entirely on private abortion funds, which the act's findings note are under-resourced and overwhelmed by increased demand (e.g., a 56% surge in requests from 2023 to 2024).

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: Could reduce financial and logistical burdens for individuals seeking abortions, especially marginalized groups like people of color, those in rural areas, low-income individuals, young people, and LGBTQ+ people, who face longer travel times (e.g., an average increase of over 4 hours in banned states). This may help more people access timely care, preventing delays that raise costs or force unwanted pregnancies to term.
• On Government Agencies: The Treasury Department gains responsibility for administering grants, applications, and reporting, potentially requiring new administrative resources. Congress will receive ongoing oversight through reports.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the act focuses on domestic U.S. health access.
• Broader Effects: May ease pressure on clinics in states where abortion remains legal by supporting influxes of out-of-state patients, while straining underfunded private funds less.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Individuals Seeking Abortions: Primary beneficiaries, particularly those in restrictive states or facing barriers like poverty, distance, or discrimination.
• Nonprofit and Community Organizations (Abortion Funds): Eligible recipients who provide direct support; the act could boost their capacity with stable federal funding, building on their existing role in covering over $50 million in abortion funding and $13 million in logistics in 2024.
• State and Local Governments: Those with abortion bans or restrictions may see reduced enforcement power due to preemption, potentially leading to legal conflicts.
• Federal Government: Treasury and other agencies involved in grant oversight; Congress as recipients of reports.
• Healthcare Providers: Clinics in permissive states may handle more patients with supported travel, improving access efficiency.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: The preemption provision (overriding conflicting state laws) and ban on federal cooperation with anti-abortion actions could spark lawsuits, testing federal authority over interstate travel and spending for reproductive health. It ensures funds flow despite local opposition but may complicate enforcement in hostile jurisdictions.
• Constitutional Implications: Relies on Congress's spending power to promote abortion access without directly funding procedures, navigating the post-Dobbs landscape where abortion rights vary by state. It avoids establishing a new federal right but supports individual choice through financial aid, potentially raising questions about equal protection for affected groups.
• Political Implications: As a partisan issue, the act could deepen divides between pro-choice advocates (who see it as essential equity support) and opponents (who may view it as federal overreach into state matters). Its findings highlight disparities in access, framing abortion bans as discriminatory, which may influence future policy debates or elections.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]

Cosponsors (29)

Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-30: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-06-30: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-30: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-30 — PDF (11 pages)