HRES-775-119
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Sponsored by Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
What it does
This resolution would express the House of Representatives' support for designating September 2025 as "National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month." It would formally endorse the goals and ideals of that designation. The resolution is purely symbolic — it does not create programs, appropriate funds, or impose any legal requirements on any person or agency.
Who benefits
Women diagnosed with or at risk for ovarian cancer, who may benefit from increased public awareness of symptoms and risk factors. Advocacy organizations such as the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, which gain congressional recognition for their awareness efforts. Healthcare providers who may see patients present earlier due to greater symptom awareness. Researchers who may benefit from heightened public and legislative attention to the disease's underfunding relative to its mortality rate.
Who is hurt
No group is directly harmed by this resolution. There are no mandates, spending changes, or regulatory burdens created. Opportunity cost critics might note that floor time and legislative attention are finite resources, though the practical impact of a simple resolution on other legislative priorities is minimal.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that ovarian cancer kills more women than any other gynecologic cancer — an estimated 12,730 deaths in 2025 alone — yet lacks a reliable early detection test, meaning roughly 80% of cases are caught at advanced stages. They contend that formal congressional recognition amplifies awareness campaigns that can prompt women to recognize vague symptoms sooner, potentially improving survival rates that exceed 90% when the disease is caught early versus 51.6% overall.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that symbolic resolutions without accompanying funding or policy action do little to address the structural problems the bill itself identifies — including underfunded research, low genetic testing compliance rates, and persistent disparities in care quality for Black women and low-income patients. They contend that congressional attention to ovarian cancer would be more meaningfully expressed through appropriations or legislation targeting the specific gaps documented in the resolution's own findings.
Constitutional context
No significant constitutional issues are raised by this resolution. Commemorative and hortatory resolutions of this type fall squarely within Congress's broad authority to express the sense of the chamber and do not implicate enumerated powers, individual rights, or federalism concerns.
Checks and balances
The House of Representatives expresses a symbolic position; no executive branch authority is granted or constrained, and no judicial review is implicated, as the resolution creates no enforceable legal rights or obligations.
Historical precedent
Congress has passed similar commemorative resolutions designating National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in prior years, consistent with a long-standing congressional practice of recognizing health awareness months for diseases including breast cancer, prostate cancer, and others.