Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
A resolution supporting the designation of September 19, 2025, as "National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day", recognizing tens of thousands of families in the United States that have endured a stillbirth, and seizing the opportunity to keep other families from experiencing the same tragedy.
A Democratic resolution with 3 Republican cosponsors · See all 7 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S6735)
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
A Senate resolution is the Senate speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the Senate agrees to it, it is officially the Senate's word; it is not a law, so the House and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
This resolution supports designating September 19, 2025, as National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day. It recognizes families who have suffered a stillbirth and aims to prevent future tragedies. The text points out that over 21,000 U.S. pregnancies end in stillbirth annually, deeply impacting families. It highlights racial disparities in birth outcomes and notes that stillbirth numbers exceed top childhood death causes combined. Finally, the Senate calls on the President to issue a proclamation for the observance.
Yes· 3 of 20
- Scored +8
Would women be better off under this?
Directly targets the improvement of maternal health and reduction of stillbirths.
- Scored +7
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
Specifically identifies Black families as being at the greatest risk and aims to combat those disparities.
- Scored +7
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?
Specifically identifies Hispanic families as being at the greatest risk and aims to combat those disparities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Awareness and Support: The resolution supports designating September 19, 2025, as National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day to provide support to those who have experienced a stillbirth and increase overall awareness. This is a positive step to recognize grieving families and promote education.
-
Action to Reduce Stillbirths: The resolution calls on the President and all Federal officials to use their authority to take action to help reduce stillbirths and ensure expectant families are educated on risk reduction. This holds our leaders accountable to actively work on saving babies.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Based on the provided text, there are no 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 women be better off under this? — Directly targets the improvement of maternal health and reduction of stillbirths. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Specifically identifies Black families as being at the greatest risk and aims to combat those disparities. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Specifically identifies Hispanic families as being at the greatest risk and aims to combat those disparities. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Specifically identifies American Indian and Alaska Native families as being at the greatest risk. Would children be better off under this? — Aims to prevent the loss of babies to stillbirth. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Addresses lack of access to maternal health care services which exacerbates the crisis. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — General improvement in maternal health outcomes and awareness. Would high-income households be better off under this? — Increases awareness and prevention resources for families. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Aims to improve maternal health access which often impacts immigrant populations. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — General improvement in maternal health outcomes for all expectant parents. Would men be better off under this? — Provides support for fathers who have endured the tragedy of stillbirth. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Provides support and resources for parents facing stillbirth. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Increases awareness and prevention resources for families. Would white Americans be better off under this? — General improvement in maternal health outcomes and awareness. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Provides support and resources for young parents facing stillbirth.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — Promotes research and references the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act which opens Federal resources for research. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Supports evidence-based prevention efforts and education for expectant families to reduce stillbirth risks. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — Provides recognition and support for families enduring the trauma of stillbirth.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Explicitly recognizes racial disparities in birth outcomes for Black, Native, and Hispanic families.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — Encourages improved data collection and promotes research into stillbirth prevention.
- 9/18/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S6735)
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HRES-739: Supporting the designation of September 19, 2025, as "National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day", recognizing tens of thousands of families in the United States that have endured a stillbirth, and seizing the opportunity to keep other families from experiencing the same tragedy.
- 119-SRES-856: A resolution supporting the designation of September 19, 2026, as "National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day", recognizing tens of thousands of families in the United States that have endured a stillbirth, and seizing the opportunity to keep other families from experiencing the same tragedy.
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Bill CassidyRepublican · Louisiana
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
Chuck GrassleyRepublican · Iowa
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon