This legislation addresses the maternal health crisis in the United States by designating Black Maternal Health Week and establishing a comprehensive policy framework to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity disparities affecting Black women and birthing people. The bill recognizes that Black women experience maternal mortality rates two to three times higher than White women, with 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births compared to 14.5 for White women in 2023. The legislation grounds its approach in human rights, reproductive justice, and birth justice frameworks, emphasizing that systemic and structural racism are primary drivers of these disparities. The bill aims to center the voices and experiences of Black women and birthing people in policy development while supporting community-driven solutions through Black-led organizations. Beyond symbolic recognition, the legislation establishes policy priorities addressing social determinants of health including housing, transportation, nutrition, environmental safety, economic opportunity, and access to comprehensive reproductive and maternal health care services.

Cory Booker, Tammy Duckworth, Richard Durbin, Lisa Rochester, Patty Murray, Elizabeth Warren, Christopher Coons, Alex Padilla, Edward Markey, Chris Van Hollen, Peter Welch, Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith, Elissa Slotkin, Jeff Merkley, Adam Schiff

What is the status of SR675?

Introduced as of April 16, 2026.

SR675 U.S. Senate: A resolution supporting the designation…

SR675

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.

Introduced

Introduced in Senate · April 17, 2026

April 16 (

legislative day

, April 14), 2026

Mr. Booker (for himself, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Blunt Rochester, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Warren, Mr. Coons, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Markey, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Welch, Ms. Klobuchar, Ms. Smith, and Ms. Slotkin) 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, 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.

(1) Black women are experiencing high, disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States;
(2) the alarmingly high rates of maternal mortality among Black women are unacceptable and unjust;
(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;