# 119-sres-856: A resolution supporting the designation of September 19, 2026, as "National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day", recognizing tens of thousands of families in the United States that have endured a stillbirth, and seizing the opportunity to keep other families from experiencing the same tragedy.

119-sres-856, A resolution supporting the designation of September 19, 2026, as "National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day", recognizing tens of thousands of families in the United States that have endured a stillbirth, and seizing the opportunity to keep other families from experiencing the same tragedy., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR); status introduced (as of 2026-09-30).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-856
- As of: 2026-09-30
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-sres-856
- Congress: 119
- Title: A resolution supporting the designation of September 19, 2026, as "National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day", recognizing tens of thousands of families in the United States that have endured a stillbirth, and seizing the opportunity to keep other families from experiencing the same tragedy.
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-09-16
- Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR)
- Cosponsors: 12
- Policy area: Health
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-30

## Summary

**This resolution would designate September 19, 2026 as National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day and promote _stillbirth prevention and awareness_.** It highlights that more than 20,000 pregnancies end in stillbirth each year and that racial disparities leave some communities at higher risk. - Families and communities: Would raise public attention and encourage programs that support grieving families and educate expectant parents about ways to reduce risk. - Health equity: Would call out higher stillbirth risks for Black, American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and Hispanic families. - Research and data: Would push for better data collection and evidence-based prevention and cites the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2024 as a basis for expanding federal resources. - Federal leadership: Would ask the President to issue a proclamation and urge federal officials to use their authority to reduce stillbirths and promote awareness.

## Cosponsors (12)

- Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] (D-NJ), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] (R-IA), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV] (R-WV), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT] (R-MT), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS] (R-MS), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME] (I-ME), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS] (R-KS), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI] (D-MI), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE] (R-NE), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC] (R-NC), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS] (R-MS), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] (D-OR), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z

## Related bills

- 119-s-2296: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
- 119-s-4784: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
- 119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-sres-913: A resolution relating to the death of the Honorable Nancy Kassebaum, former United States Senator for the State of Kansas.
- 119-sres-897: A resolution honoring the life, service, and legacy of the Honorable Jon Llewellyn Kyl, former Senator for the State of Arizona.
- 119-sres-801: A resolution honoring the life and legacy of the Honorable Lindsey Olin Graham, a Senator from the State of South Carolina.

## Sources
- [119-sres-856 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-resolution/856)

## Related
- [119-s-2296: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2296)
- [119-s-4784: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4784)
- [119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5066)
- [119-sres-913: A resolution relating to the death of the Honorable Nancy Kassebaum, former Uni…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-913)
- [119-sres-897: A resolution honoring the life, service, and legacy of the Honorable Jon Llewel…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-897)
- [119-sres-801: A resolution honoring the life and legacy of the Honorable Lindsey Olin Graham,…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-801)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-856 (as of 2026-09-30).