Booker, Adams, Underwood Reintroduce Bicameral Black Maternal Health Week Resolution

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), as well as U.S. Representatives Alma Adams (D-NC-12) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), reintroduced a bicameral resolution recognizing April 11 through April 17 as Black Maternal Health Week. The resolution aims to bring national attention to the maternal health crisis in the United States and the urgent need to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates among Black mothers.

On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, Senator Booker participated in Protect Our Care's Black Maternal Health Week press conference to spotlight the urgent need to pass legislation to address America's worsening maternal health crisis. During the conversation, Senator Booker discussed the Momnibus, a package of 14 bills designed to tackle the root causes of maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities.

"It is unacceptable that Black women continue to face a maternal mortality rate two to three times higher than White women because of deep, systemic failures in our health care system," said Senator Booker. "This resolution is not just about acknowledging the disparities Black women face. It is about recognizing that Congress must do more to protect the lives of Black mothers by addressing the structural barriers that drive them and ensuring that every mother has a safe and healthy pregnancy and the care they deserve."

"Our annual Black Maternal Health Week resolution says, unequivocally, that Black Moms matter," said Congresswoman Alma Adams, co-founder and co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. "This week is a time for us to raise awareness around the maternal mortality and morbidity epidemic Black mothers face and urge our Congressional and state leaders to take action. We need to see a real commitment from Congress to address this crisis, and I am dedicated to working with our Black maternal health advocates across the country to make that happen. Black mamas can't wait!"

"Our country's Black maternal health crisis demands urgent action," said Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, co-founder and co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. "In 2019, I co-founded the Black Maternal Health Caucus with Congresswoman Alma Adams to respond to this crisis and advance evidence-based solutions that will save lives and end disparities. I'm thrilled to continue this work by introducing this resolution with Congresswoman Adams and Senator Booker to recognize Black Maternal Health Week 2026. I am thinking of the families and moms who have been impacted by this crisis like Mercedes Wells, Karrie Jones, and Dr. Janell Green Smith who we tragically lost, and I'm grateful to the Black Mamas Matter Alliance for their leadership in establishing this critical week of awareness and action. We must continue to elevate Black maternal health as a national priority, and we must pass the entire Momnibus."

This resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Patty Murray (D-WA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI).

To read the full text of the resolution, click here.

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