Round voting button logo

SR172

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.

Introduced·4/10/25
Introduced
Introduced in Senate · April 15, 2025

April 10, 2025

Mr. Booker (for himself, Mr. Warnock, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Coons, Ms. Slotkin, Mr. Sanders, Ms. Rosen, Ms. Klobuchar, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Blunt Rochester, Ms. Duckworth, Ms. Smith, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Welch, Ms. Warren, Mr. Markey, and Mr. Van Hollen) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

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.

  1. (1) Black women are experiencing high, disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States;
  2. (2) the alarmingly high rates of maternal mortality among Black women are unacceptable and unjust;
  3. (3) in order to better mitigate the effects of systemic and structural racism, Congress must work toward ensuring that the Black community has—
    1. (A) safe and affordable housing;
    2. (B) transportation equity;
    3. (C) nutritious food;
    4. (D) clean air and water;
    5. (E) environments free from toxins;
    6. (F) decriminalization, removal of civil penalties, end of surveillance, and end of mandatory reporting within the criminal and family regulation system;
    7. (G) safety and freedom from violence, especially violence perpetrated by government actors;
    8. (H) a living wage;
    9. (I) equal economic opportunity;
    10. (J) a sustained and expansive workforce pipeline for diverse perinatal professionals; and
    11. (K) comprehensive, high-quality, and affordable health care, including access to the full spectrum of reproductive care;
  4. (4) in order to improve maternal health outcomes, Congress must fully support and encourage policies grounded in the human rights, reproductive justice, and birth justice frameworks that address maternal health inequities;
  5. (5) Black women and birthing people must be active participants in the policy decisions that impact their lives;
  6. (6) in order to ensure access to safe and respectful maternal health care for Black birthing people, Congress must pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (H.R. 959), 117th Congress, and other legislation rooted in human rights that seek to improve maternal care and outcomes; and
  7. (7) Black Maternal Health Week is an opportunity to—
    1. (A) deepen the national conversation about Black maternal health in the United States;
    2. (B) amplify and invest in community-driven policy, research, and quality care solutions;
    3. (C) center the voices of Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc., women, families, and stakeholders;
    4. (D) provide a national platform for Black-led entities and efforts on maternal and mental health, birth equity, and reproductive justice;
    5. (E) enhance community organizing on Black maternal health; and
    6. (F) support efforts to increase funding and advance policies for Black-led and centered community-based organizations and perinatal birth workers that provide the full spectrum of reproductive, maternal, and sexual health care.