HRES-796-119
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Sponsored by Michael Lawler (R-NY)
What it does
This resolution expresses House support for designating October 9-16, 2025 as "National Dyspraxia/Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) Awareness Week." It creates no new programs, funding, or legal requirements; it simply states the House's recognition of the condition and encourages states and localities to support awareness efforts.
Who benefits
Individuals with dyspraxia/DCD and their families, who may gain increased public recognition of the condition. Advocacy and patient organizations focused on dyspraxia/DCD, which could use the designation to raise visibility for their awareness campaigns.
Who is hurt
No group is meaningfully harmed. The resolution carries no funding, mandates, or regulatory changes, so it imposes no costs or burdens on any individual or institution.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that dyspraxia/DCD affects an estimated 5-6 percent of the population yet remains underdiagnosed and misfamiliar to parents, teachers, and health care professionals. They contend that a designated awareness week can help spread knowledge among educators and clinicians, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and better support for affected individuals, particularly in underserved low-income and minority communities.
Opponents argue
Critics of commemorative resolutions in general argue that such measures consume floor time and committee attention without producing any binding change in policy, funding, or services for the people they describe. They contend that genuine improvements in diagnosis and treatment access require substantive legislation or appropriations rather than symbolic designations, which some view as a low-cost substitute for concrete action.
Constitutional context
This resolution raises no constitutional question beyond the House's general authority to express its views through simple resolutions, which do not carry the force of law.
Checks and balances
The House alone adopts this expression of sentiment; it creates no enforceable authority for any branch and requires no action by the executive or judiciary.
Historical precedent
Congress has periodically adopted similar resolutions designating awareness weeks for other health conditions, such as ADHD or autism spectrum disorder.