Cory Booker (D-NJ)
A resolution supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week", founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc., to bring national attention to the maternal and reproductive health crisis in the United States and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing people.
A Democratic resolution with 15 Democratic cosponsors · See all 15 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S1824-1825)
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 the week of April 11 through April 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week." The week was founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. to draw national attention to the maternal and reproductive health crisis in the United States. It highlights the urgent need to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing people. The text notes that Black women face disproportionately high death rates from pregnancy-related causes compared to White women. Ultimately, the resolution calls for Congressional action to address systemic inequities and improve health outcomes.
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +8
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
The entire resolution is dedicated to addressing the maternal health crisis specifically impacting Black women.
- Scored +8
Would women be better off under this?
The bill aims to improve reproductive health care and reduce maternal mortality for birthing people.
- Scored +8
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill seeks to mitigate systemic racism and address disproportionate maternal mortality rates among Black women.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased National Awareness: Designating a specific week aims to deepen the national conversation regarding Black maternal health and provide a national platform for Black-led entities (Resolution, Section 7).
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Investment in Community Care: The resolution calls for investment in maternity care led by the communities most affected by the crisis (Resolution, Section s) and support for community-driven policy and research (Resolution, Section 7B).
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Health Insurance Support: There is a call for continuous health insurance coverage to support Black women and birthing people for at least one year after giving birth (Resolution, Section s).
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Addressing Basic Needs: The resolution identifies several areas where Congress must work to ensure the Black community has access to essential resources, such as safe and affordable housing, nutritious food, and a living wage (Resolution, Section 3).
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Improved Healthcare Access: The text advocates for comprehensive, high-quality, and affordable health care, including access to the full spectrum of reproductive care (Resolution, Section 3K).
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Workforce Development: The resolution seeks a sustained and expansive workforce pipeline for diverse perinatal professionals (Resolution, Section 3J).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Criminal Justice and Surveillance Concerns: The text notes that Black pregnant and postpartum people currently experience disproportionate surveillance and punishment, including the shackling of incarcerated people in labor and the drug testing of mothers and infants without consent (Resolution, Whereas).
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Economic and Structural Barriers: Black birthing people currently face increased structural and financial barriers to accessing essential services like prenatal, postpartum, and mental health care (Resolution, Whereas).
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Access to Care Deserts: Communities of color are disproportionately affected by maternity care deserts, where there are limited hospitals, birth centers, or obstetric providers (Resolution, Whereas).
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 Black Americans be better off under this? — The entire resolution is dedicated to addressing the maternal health crisis specifically impacting Black women. Would women be better off under this? — The bill aims to improve reproductive health care and reduce maternal mortality for birthing people. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The resolution focuses on providing essential resources like nutritious food and affordable health care for low-income communities. Would children be better off under this? — The bill addresses maternal and neonatal complications to improve outcomes for infants.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill seeks to mitigate systemic racism and address disproportionate maternal mortality rates among Black women. Does this make housing cost less? — The resolution states that Congress must work toward ensuring the Black community has access to safe and affordable housing. Does this change how police departments operate? — The text calls for an end to surveillance and mandatory reporting within the criminal and family regulation system. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill advocates for a living wage and equal economic opportunity to address health inequities.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The resolution advocates for affordable, comprehensive, and holistic maternal health care. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill identifies a need to address barriers to maternal mental health care. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The resolution calls for continuous health insurance coverage for at least one year after giving birth.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill calls for an end to the disproportionate surveillance and drug testing of Black mothers and infants.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill calls for a sustained and expansive workforce pipeline for diverse perinatal professionals.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill notes that people in rural communities suffer from life-threatening pregnancy complications.
- 4/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/16/2026
- Submitted in Senate
- Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S1824-1825)
- 13 Cosponsors added.
3 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-332: Supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2025, as the eighth annual "Black Maternal Health Week", founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. (BMMA), to bring national attention to the maternal and reproductive health crisis in the United States and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing people.
- 119-HRES-1183: Supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week", founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. (BMMA), to bring national attention to the maternal and reproductive health crisis in the United States and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing people.
- 119-SRES-172: A resolution supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2025, as the eighth annual "Black Maternal Health Week", founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc., to bring national attention to the maternal and reproductive health crisis in the United States and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing people.
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat · Michigan
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts