A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This legislation is known as the Dads Matter Act of 2025. It requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to launch a public awareness campaign focusing on the importance of father inclusion and engagement during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. The bill aims to improve health outcomes for both mothers and babies by highlighting the positive impacts of fathers. Additionally, it directs the Secretary to issue guidance to States on encouraging maternity care providers and health care coverage providers to train practitioners on these benefits. Finally, the Comptroller General is required to conduct a study and report on the effectiveness of the Act within six years of its enactment.
Yes· 3 of 15
- Scored +6
Would men be better off under this?
The legislation explicitly focuses on promoting father inclusion, engagement, paternal mental health, and bonding.
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
The bill aims to improve infant health, development, and safety outcomes through enhanced father engagement.
- Scored +5
Would women be better off under this?
Involving fathers helps mothers recognize pregnancy complications, supports maternal mental health, and increases prenatal care attendance.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 3 requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to run a public awareness campaign that promotes resources and information on the impact of father inclusion, which can help increase the number of prenatal and postpartum appointments a mother attends and improve successful breastfeeding rates.
-
Section 4 directs the Secretary to issue guidance to States on encouraging maternity and healthcare providers to train practitioners on how to screen fathers for depression and provide referrals for treatment, which may positively impact child development and reduce the risk of adverse childhood experiences.
-
Section 4 instructs that guidance provided to States must include information on how health care practitioners can offer peer-to-peer, father-to-father encouragement, support, and education in communities that traditionally are not inclusive of fathers.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific sections or provisions that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would men be better off under this? — The legislation explicitly focuses on promoting father inclusion, engagement, paternal mental health, and bonding. Would children be better off under this? — The bill aims to improve infant health, development, and safety outcomes through enhanced father engagement. Would women be better off under this? — Involving fathers helps mothers recognize pregnancy complications, supports maternal mental health, and increases prenatal care attendance. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young parents benefit from public awareness campaigns and healthcare guidance focused on father inclusion during pregnancy. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Guidance specifically addresses cultural beliefs and ensures inclusivity for fathers regardless of race or ethnicity. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Inclusive health guidelines help engage fathers across diverse demographic groups. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Culturally relevant outreach supports diverse communities in encouraging active father participation. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Targeted community support and outreach can help low-income fathers become more engaged in maternal and child health. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — General guidance and awareness campaigns assist middle-class families during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Community-level father support initiatives extend to traditionally underserved populations. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Guidance directed to community health centers and rural maternity providers helps expand father-inclusive practices. Would white Americans be better off under this? — All demographic groups benefit from enhanced healthcare provider education on father inclusion.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The legislation promotes healthcare provider training and guidance to better include fathers in prenatal and postnatal care. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill encourages screening fathers for postpartum depression and providing referrals for treatment.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The guidance addresses cultural beliefs about fatherhood and ensures inclusivity across all races and ethnicities.
- 9/1/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/24/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Juan CiscomaniRepublican · Arizona
Ryan MackenzieRepublican · Pennsylvania
Nikema WilliamsDemocrat · Georgia