Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
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.
A Democratic resolution with 8 Republican cosponsors · See all 12 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S4759)
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, 2026, as National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day. It recognizes families who have experienced a stillbirth and aims to prevent future tragedies. The text notes that over 20,000 pregnancies end in stillbirth annually in the United States. It highlights racial disparities and states that stillbirth numbers exceed the top five leading causes of death for children under 15 combined. Finally, the resolution asks the President to issue a proclamation for the observance.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +3
Would children be better off under this?
The resolution supports national awareness and prevention efforts aimed at reducing stillbirths and protecting infant health.
- Scored +3
Would women be better off under this?
The resolution promotes maternal health education and stillbirth prevention efforts that directly benefit expectant mothers.
- Scored +3
Does this put more money into medical research?
The resolution promotes medical research and better data collection regarding stillbirth prevention.
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, 2026, as National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day to provide support to families who have experienced stillbirth and increase awareness (Resolved (1)).
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Promotion of Prevention: The Senate expresses its understanding of the importance of advancing evidence-based stillbirth prevention efforts, which could help keep families from experiencing the tragedy of a stillbirth (Resolved (2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Identified: The provided text does not contain any 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 children be better off under this? — The resolution supports national awareness and prevention efforts aimed at reducing stillbirths and protecting infant health. Would women be better off under this? — The resolution promotes maternal health education and stillbirth prevention efforts that directly benefit expectant mothers. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The resolution recognizes and seeks to address the higher risk of stillbirths affecting Black families. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The resolution acknowledges the disparate impact of stillbirths on Hispanic families and calls for prevention measures. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The resolution highlights elevated stillbirth risks among American Indian and Alaska Native families to encourage targeted prevention.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The resolution promotes medical research and better data collection regarding stillbirth prevention. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The resolution supports promoting evidence-based stillbirth prevention efforts and maternal health education to improve outcomes.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The resolution explicitly highlights racial disparities in birth outcomes to address higher stillbirth risks among minority families.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The resolution encourages improved data collection and greater understanding of stillbirth rates.
- 9/16/2026
- Submitted in Senate
- Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S4759)
- 12 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-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-HRES-1548: 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.
- 119-SRES-401: 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.
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Shelley CapitoRepublican · West Virginia
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
Chuck GrassleyRepublican · Iowa
Cindy Hyde-SmithRepublican · Mississippi
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Roger MarshallRepublican · Kansas
Gary PetersDemocrat · Michigan
Pete RickettsRepublican · Nebraska
Thomas TillisRepublican · North Carolina
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon