A concurrent resolution expressing support for the recognition of March 10, 2025, as "Abortion Provider Appreciation Day".
- Bill Number
- S.Con.Res. 9
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-10: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S1633-1634)
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-13T15:08:01Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 9) expresses Congress's support for designating March 10, 2025, as "Abortion Provider Appreciation Day." It aims to honor abortion providers and their staff for their essential care, courage, and dedication, while highlighting challenges they face due to legal restrictions and threats.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes a detailed preamble outlining the context and rationale, followed by five main resolved clauses:
- Recognition of the Day: Congress recognizes March 10, 2025, as a day to celebrate the compassion, courage, and high-quality care provided by abortion providers and staff to patients and families nationwide.
- Praise for Communities: It commends communities that support and host abortion providers and staff.
- Affirmation of Commitment: Congress affirms its dedication to protecting providers' safety, ensuring they can deliver care, and guaranteeing patients' access to abortion services without fear of violence, criminal charges (legal penalties), or social stigma, regardless of location.
- Condemnation of Restrictions: It criticizes the Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision (which overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling protecting abortion rights), actions by the current administration, and activities by anti-abortion extremists for limiting and stigmatizing abortion care, which harms providers and communities.
- Vision for the Future: Congress declares a goal of eliminating all abortion bans and restrictions, ensuring full access to care without penalties or stigma, and commits to partnering with providers, patients, advocates, and communities to achieve this.
The preamble provides background, including:
- The selection of March 10 to honor Dr. David Gunn, the first known murdered abortion provider (killed in 1993).
- The role of providers in clinics, hospitals, and via telehealth (remote medical consultations).
- Impacts of the Dobbs decision, such as state bans in 19 states, clinic closures, increased travel burdens, and heightened harassment/violence.
- Broader effects on reproductive justice (a framework emphasizing bodily autonomy and safe parenting), inequities for marginalized groups, and support from abortion funds.
- Statistics on restricted access affecting over 25 million people and rising threats documented by organizations like the National Abortion Federation.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding concurrent resolution, meaning it does not create, amend, or repeal any laws. It expresses congressional sentiment but has no legal force or effect on statutes, regulations, or court precedents.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Minimal direct impact, as it is symbolic. It may encourage federal agencies (e.g., those involved in health or justice) to prioritize provider safety and access initiatives, but it imposes no mandates.
- On Citizens: Could raise public awareness of abortion providers' challenges, potentially reducing stigma and supporting access efforts. Patients in restricted states may benefit indirectly through affirmed congressional support for funds and organizations aiding travel and care, though it does not alter state laws.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the resolution focuses on domestic U.S. issues.
Overall, the resolution's influence is primarily cultural and political, fostering dialogue on reproductive rights without enforceable outcomes.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Abortion Providers and Staff: Directly honored and supported, with emphasis on their safety and role in care delivery.
- Patients Seeking Abortion Care: Beneficiaries of affirmed access rights, particularly those in underserved or restricted areas, including women, transgender, and nonbinary individuals.
- Communities and Support Organizations: Includes clinics, Planned Parenthood, abortion funds, and practical support groups facing increased demands post-Dobbs.
- Marginalized Groups: Black, Indigenous, and people of color, who face heightened threats and inequities.
- Anti-Abortion Groups and Extremists: Indirectly addressed through condemnation of their actions, potentially escalating political tensions.
- Congress and Policymakers: Positions Congress on reproductive rights, influencing future legislation or oversight.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces criticism of the Dobbs decision without challenging it legally; highlights ongoing debates over abortion as a right versus state regulation, but offers no judicial remedy.
- Constitutional: References the overturn of Roe v. Wade, which established a constitutional right to abortion under privacy protections, underscoring divisions on the 14th Amendment's due process clause (protecting personal liberties).
- Political: As a bipartisan-introduced measure (though sponsored by Democrats), it signals partisan divides on abortion post-2022, potentially mobilizing advocates while provoking opposition. It could influence midterm or future elections by framing abortion as a safety and equity issue, and emphasizes reproductive justice as a human rights framework originating from Black women's activism in 1994.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (12)
Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA], Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM], Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-10: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S1633-1634)
- 2025-03-10: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Expressing support for the recognition of March 10, 2025, as Abortion Provider Appreciation Day. — issued 2025-03-10 — PDF (6 pages)