White House Council on Fathers and Sons Act of 2026

Bill Number: H.R. 7800
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Families
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-03-04: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Last Updated: 2026-03-27T20:38:57Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The White House Council on Fathers and Sons Act of 2026 aims to create a new advisory body within the Executive Office of the President to address challenges facing fathers and sons in the United States. It seeks to promote the roles of fathers in families, raise awareness of issues like poverty, mental health, and economic struggles among men and boys, and coordinate a unified federal government approach to these problems.

Key Provisions

Findings: The bill outlines congressional observations on issues affecting men and boys, including:
Declining college degrees and wages for men since the 1970s compared to women.
One in five fathers not living with their children.
Higher risks of suicide and drug overdoses for men.
Negative impacts of "gendered policies" on family roles.
Increased poverty, incarceration, and unemployment among sons raised without fathers.
The Executive Office's role in coordinating responses.

Statement of Policy: Directs federal agency heads to create programs that:
Strengthen fathers' and sons' roles in families.
Reduce "deaths of despair" (e.g., suicides and overdoses) among fathers and sons.
Recognize biological differences between men and women.

Establishment of the Council:
Creates the White House Council on Fathers and Sons (the "Council") within the Executive Office of the President.
Duties include:
Promoting family roles for fathers and sons.
Addressing deaths of despair and supporting sons' transition to adulthood (mental, physical, spiritual, and economic aspects).
Coordinating federal responses by reviewing and recommending changes to programs affecting men, boys, and male federal workers.
Reporting to the President on how congressional measures impact fathers and sons.
Assisting in developing legislation and policies focused on these groups.
Requires an initial report to the President within 150 days of enactment, reviewing agency programs and outlining future Council work, with periodic updates.

Consultation Requirements: The Council must consult with federal agencies (excluding certain independent ones), nonprofit organizations (including faith-based groups), state and local governments, and other relevant entities.

Membership: Composed of 28 members, including:
High-level officials like the Deputy Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs (who serves as Chairperson), Secretaries of major departments (e.g., State, Defense, Health and Human Services), the Attorney General, and others such as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
Representatives from the faith community and other agencies designated by the President.
The Chairperson convenes meetings and forms subcommittees; a Director (appointed by the Chairperson) manages staff.

Funding: Uses existing appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services; participating agencies cover their own costs.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces entirely new structures and policies, as no prior equivalent council exists. It adds a dedicated advisory body to the Executive Office, mandates reviews of federal programs for gender-specific impacts on men and boys, and establishes a policy emphasizing biological differences between sexes—potentially shifting how agencies approach family and gender-related initiatives. It does not amend specific existing laws but requires coordination across them.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: Promotes a "whole of government" approach, requiring agencies to review and adjust programs (e.g., education, health, labor) to better address issues for fathers, sons, and male workers. This could lead to new initiatives but adds administrative burdens, with funding drawn from Health and Human Services resources.
On Citizens: Focuses on improving outcomes for fathers and sons, potentially reducing poverty, incarceration, and mental health crises through targeted support. Families, especially those without resident fathers, may benefit from awareness and policy changes, though it emphasizes traditional roles and biological differences, which could influence broader social programs.
On International Relations: Limited direct impact, but involvement of the Secretary of State and U.N. Ambassador suggests potential coordination on global family or gender issues; however, the focus remains domestic.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Fathers and Sons: Primary beneficiaries, including men facing economic, health, and family challenges, and boys transitioning to adulthood.
Families and Communities: Especially those affected by absent fathers, poverty, or "deaths of despair."
Federal Agencies: All major departments (e.g., Education, Labor, Health) must participate and adapt programs.
Faith and Nonprofit Organizations: Consulted for input and potential partnerships.
State and Local Governments: Involved in consultations to align efforts.
Male Federal Workers: Programs may address workplace issues specific to men.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Establishes an advisory council without binding enforcement powers, relying on voluntary agency cooperation. Funding from existing appropriations avoids new spending mandates, but reports could influence future legislation.
Constitutional: Aligns with executive branch authority to advise the President (Article II); no apparent conflicts with equal protection under the 14th Amendment, though gender-specific focus might invite scrutiny if seen as discriminatory.
Political: Highlights disparities in men's outcomes amid ongoing gender equity debates, potentially sparking controversy over promoting "biological differences" or traditional family roles. Could foster bipartisan support for family policies but risk polarization on gender issues; faith community involvement may emphasize cultural values.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]

Recent Actions

2026-03-04: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
2026-03-04: Introduced in House
2026-03-04: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

White House Council on Fathers and Sons Act of 2026 — issued 2026-03-04 — PDF (8 pages)