SRES-951-119
Under authority of the order of the Senate of September 30, 2026, ordered referred to the Committee on The Judiciary.
Sponsored by Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
What it does
This Senate resolution would designate September 2026 as "National Infant Mortality Awareness Month." It would express the Senate's support for efforts to educate the public about infant mortality, reduce infant deaths, low birth weight, preterm births and disparities in outcomes, and increase access to early prenatal care. It would call on people in the United States to observe the month with appropriate programs and activities. It creates no legal duties, programs, or funding.
Who benefits
Public health organizations, maternal and child health advocates, and community-based programs that use the month to draw attention to their work. Families in communities with high infant mortality or limited access to obstetric care may benefit indirectly if greater awareness leads to action. The resolution itself provides no direct benefits.
Who is hurt
No group is meaningfully affected. The resolution is non-binding, imposes no requirements, and spends no money. Some may view the Senate's time on commemorative measures as a minor opportunity cost.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that a designated awareness month focuses public and policymaker attention on a persistent health problem, giving advocates and local programs a common occasion for education and outreach. They contend the bipartisan sponsorship, shared by Senators Hyde-Smith and Ossoff, signals broad agreement that reducing infant deaths is a shared priority, and that the cost to taxpayers is nil.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that symbolic resolutions do not change health outcomes, and that attention and Senate time would be better spent on funding and policy that address causes such as access to obstetric care. They contend that awareness months are numerous and may dilute public attention, and that the resolution offers no concrete commitment of resources or accountability.
Constitutional context
This is a non-binding simple resolution of the Senate, issued under its own authority over internal proceedings (Article I, Section 5), and it raises no constitutional question. It does not regulate private conduct or create federal programs.
Checks and balances
The Senate alone expresses its view; the resolution does not go to the House or the President and creates no authority for any branch, so no checks are triggered.
Historical precedent
Congress has regularly passed non-binding resolutions designating awareness months for health topics, including prior Senate resolutions recognizing National Infant Mortality Awareness Month.