Tennessee representative announces bill to ban forced abortions in surrogacy contracts
Caroline MolloyRep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., announced July 23 that he is introducing legislation barring federal courts from enforcing surrogacy contract provisions that force surrogate mothers to undergo abortions.
According to a press release from Ogles’ office, the Preventing Forced Abortions Act of 2026 would also require that courts enforce the surrogate mother’s right to receive any agreed-upon compensation despite her refusal to abort the unborn child.
“No woman should ever be forced to murder a child because of a provision buried in a contract,” Ogles said in a July 22 X post promoting the measure. “My Preventing Forced Abortions Act ensures that federal courts cannot enforce these coercive clauses or allow intended parents to withhold promised compensation when a surrogate mother chooses life.”
In a follow-up post, Ogles thanked the bill’s co-sponsors: Republican Reps. Sheri Biggs of South Carolina, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Mary Miller of Illinois, Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma, and Keith Self of Texas.
Several pro-life groups have endorsed the proposal, including CatholicVote, Student B. Anthony Pro-Life, the National Right to Life Committee, Concerned Women for America, and Students for Life Action.
