Bill · S.Res. 646· Senate(119-SRES-646)
A resolution recognizing March 14, 2026, as "Black Midwives Day" and the longstanding and invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States.
- Introduced
- 3/17/2026
- Last activity
- 3/17/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S1094-1095)
- Sponsored by
- Cory Booker
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
A Senate resolution is the Senate speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the Senate agrees to it, it is officially the Senate's word; it is not a law, so the House and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
S. Res. 646 recognizes March 14, 2026, as "Black Midwives Day." The resolution highlights the role of Black midwives in improving maternal and infant health and addressing racial disparities in healthcare. It calls for increasing the number of Black midwives and removing legal or regulatory barriers to their practice. Additionally, it encourages government support for diversifying the perinatal workforce and expanding funding and insurance coverage for midwifery services.
Yes· 3 of 30
Would Black Americans be better off under this?+10
Directly targets the reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity for Black women.
Would women be better off under this?+9
Significantly enhances maternal health outcomes, bodily autonomy, and healthcare access.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+9
Explicitly targets the reduction of racial disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black women.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Improved Health Outcomes: Midwife-led care is linked to cost savings, lower cesarean rates, decreased preterm births, and reduced medical interventions for mothers and infants.
- Increased Access to Care: The resolution aims to address "maternity care deserts" where over 2,300,000 women lack access to obstetric hospitals, birth centers, or clinics.
- Culturally Competent Care: Increasing the number of Black midwives provides culturally sensitive care that builds trust and improves satisfaction for Black mothers and infants.
- Financial and Educational Support: The resolution calls for increased funding for education, training, financial pathways for students and preceptors, and mentorship programs to sustain Black midwifery.
- Expanded Insurance Coverage: It promotes funding for Medicaid and TRICARE to cover maternity care provided by midwives of all training pathways.
- Greater Bodily Autonomy: The resolution supports the right to bodily autonomy and the ability to choose birth settings, including homes, birth centers, clinics, or hospitals.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts listed: The provided text does not identify any negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For African Americans+10Good For Women+9Good For Low Income Households+7Good For Rural Residents+7Good For Children+6Good For Students+6Good For Native Americans+5Good For Young Adults+5Good For Asian Americans+4Good For Hispanic Americans+4Good For Immigrants+4Good For Middle Class Households+4Good For Urban Residents+4Good For Veterans+4Good For Business Owners+3Good For Farmers+3Good For L G B T Q Community+3Good For White Americans+3Good For High Income Households+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+8Increases Medicaid Funding+5Reduces Hospital Costs+4Improves Veterans Healthcare+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+9Improves Gender Equality+5
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Small Business Support+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+4
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+3
- 3/17/2026
- Submitted in Senate
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S1094-1095)
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HRES-1120: Supporting the recognition of March 14, 2026, as "Black Midwives Day" and the longstanding and invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States.
- 119-SRES-128: A resolution recognizing March 14, 2025, as "Black Midwives Day" and the longstanding and invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States.