A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 173
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-10: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S2571)
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-16T15:09:04Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate resolution (S. Res. 173) expresses support for the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day, observed annually on April 25. It highlights malaria as a preventable and treatable disease that remains a major global health threat, particularly in Africa, and underscores the United States' historical and ongoing role in combating it to promote global health, security, and prosperity.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes a series of "Whereas" clauses providing background on malaria's impact, progress, and challenges, followed by a "Resolved" section where the Senate:
- Supports the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day.
- Declares fighting malaria to be in the U.S. national interest.
- Recognizes malaria reduction's benefits for maternal and child health.
- Commends achievements in lowering global malaria cases and deaths, especially via the President's Malaria Initiative (a U.S. government program) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (an international organization).
- Endorses a goal to reduce malaria cases and deaths by at least 90 percent by 2030.
- Praises efforts by malaria-affected countries to prevent and treat the disease, and supports building their self-sufficiency to reduce reliance on foreign aid.
- Welcomes partnerships between public and private sectors to develop better tools for preventing, diagnosing, and treating malaria, such as improved bed nets, vaccines, and diagnostics.
- Encourages sustained U.S. leadership in malaria reduction through government, international, and private efforts.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws or statutes. It serves as a formal statement of Senate intent rather than enforceable legislation.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Reinforces support for U.S. agencies like USAID (which runs the President's Malaria Initiative), potentially influencing budget priorities for foreign aid and health programs without mandating action.
- On citizens: Raises awareness of malaria risks for U.S. travelers, workers, and military personnel in affected areas; highlights prevention's cost-effectiveness (e.g., protecting one person costs $0.53–$5.97 versus $145 for treating severe cases), which could inform public health guidance.
- On international relations: Strengthens U.S. diplomatic ties with malaria-endemic countries (e.g., in Africa and Asia) by affirming commitment to global health; counters influence from other nations like China in strategic regions; promotes stability in areas prone to unrest, indirectly supporting U.S. security interests.
- Overall, it could indirectly boost funding or innovation in malaria control, potentially preventing outbreaks and fostering economic growth through expanded U.S. exports (estimated at $1.48 billion by 2030 if targets are met).
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. government and agencies: Senate, State Department, USAID, and Department of Defense (due to risks to servicemembers abroad).
- International organizations: Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; World Health Organization (implied through global references).
- Malaria-endemic countries and populations: Nations like those in Africa (94% of cases), Rwanda, India, and Liberia; vulnerable groups such as children under 5 and pregnant women (who account for most deaths).
- U.S. citizens and sectors: Travelers, military personnel, researchers, universities, faith-based groups, and private companies involved in malaria tools; businesses benefiting from stable international markets.
- Global health community: Public-private partners developing innovations like vaccines and gene drive technologies (methods to modify mosquito populations to reduce disease transmission).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal/Constitutional: None directly, as resolutions like this are advisory and do not require presidential approval or create binding obligations; they align with Congress's constitutional role in foreign affairs (Article I, Section 8) but lack enforcement power.
- Political: Signals bipartisan support (introduced by Senators Wicker and Coons from different parties) for U.S. global health leadership, potentially shaping future appropriations or policy debates on foreign aid; emphasizes malaria control as a tool for national security, economic growth, and countering geopolitical rivals, which could influence election-year discussions on international spending.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-10: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S2571)
- 2025-04-10: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Supporting the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day. — issued 2025-04-10 — PDF (5 pages)