HRES-1047-119
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Sponsored by Mary Scanlon (D-PA)
What it does
This resolution would express the House of Representatives' recognition of January 2026 as "National Mentoring Month." It acknowledges the benefits of youth mentoring and encourages expansion of mentoring programs, but creates no new federal program, funding, or legal requirement.
Who benefits
Mentoring organizations and advocacy groups that may gain publicity from the designation. No group receives any funding, legal right, or material benefit.
Who is hurt
No group is meaningfully affected. The resolution imposes no obligations, funding changes, or restrictions on any party.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that formally recognizing National Mentoring Month raises public awareness of the documented benefits of youth mentoring, such as improved academic achievement and reduced juvenile delinquency, and encourages more adults to volunteer as mentors. They contend that symbolic congressional recognition can help mobilize private and nonprofit resources to close the "mentoring gap" affecting an estimated 40 percent of young people.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that commemorative resolutions like this one have no binding effect and do not address the underlying resource gaps in mentoring programs, such as funding shortages or volunteer recruitment barriers. They contend that congressional floor time and committee attention could be better spent on substantive legislation with measurable effects rather than symbolic proclamations.
Constitutional context
This resolution raises no constitutional question beyond Congress's general authority to adopt simple resolutions expressing the sense of the House.
Checks and balances
The House alone adopts this resolution with no binding legal effect on the executive or judicial branches, and it creates no new authority for any branch.
Historical precedent
Congress has adopted similar resolutions recognizing National Mentoring Month in previous years, following a long-standing pattern of commemorative designations.