# 119-sres-868: A resolution recognizing September 20, 2026, as "National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day".

119-sres-868, A resolution recognizing September 20, 2026, as "National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day"., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR); status introduced (as of 2026-10-05).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-868
- As of: 2026-10-05
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-sres-868
- Congress: 119
- Title: A resolution recognizing September 20, 2026, as "National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day".
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-09-17
- Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR)
- Cosponsors: 21
- Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-10-05

## Summary

**Designates September 20, 2026 as National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day.** The resolution would record a history of official discrimination against LGBTQ+ service members and veterans and urge restoring and expanding access to health care, benefits, and outreach. - Servicemembers and veterans: Would gain formal recognition and a call for restored, expanded access to health care, including gender-affirming care, and targeted outreach to ensure benefits eligibility. - Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs: Would be urged to implement policy changes to restore justice for past wrongs and expand outreach to affected communities. - Historical record and public awareness: Would document past policies from Executive Order 10450 and the Lavender Scare through Don't Ask, Don't Tell, noting 13,472 discharges under Don't Ask, Don't Tell and White House estimates of more than 100,000 total discharges for sexual orientation or gender identity.

## Cosponsors (21)

- Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI] (D-WI), 2026-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT] (D-CT), 2026-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] (D-NJ), 2026-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE] (D-DE), 2026-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] (D-IL), 2026-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA] (D-PA), 2026-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY] (D-NY), 2026-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI] (D-HI), 2026-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA] (D-VA), 2026-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] (D-MA), 2026-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA] (D-WA), 2026-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA] (D-CA), 2026-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (I-VT), 2026-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] (D-HI), 2026-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA] (D-CA), 2026-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN] (D-MN), 2026-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA] (D-MA), 2026-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI] (D-RI), 2026-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] (D-OR), 2026-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM] (D-NM), 2026-09-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO] (D-CO), 2026-09-22T00:00:00.000Z

## Related bills

- 119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-s-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act
- 119-s-5108: Right to IVF Act of 2026
- 119-s-1503: Equality Act
- 119-s-852: Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025
- 119-s-2150: Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-sres-868 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-resolution/868)

## Related
- [119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5066)
- [119-s-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-51)
- [119-s-5108: Right to IVF Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5108)
- [119-s-1503: Equality Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1503)
- [119-s-852: Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-852)
- [119-s-2150: Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2150)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-868 (as of 2026-10-05).