A resolution designating February 2026 as "American Heart Month".
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 614
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-25: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S689; text: CR S687)
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-16T14:34:12Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate Resolution (S. Res. 614) aims to designate February 2026 as "American Heart Month" to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD), which includes heart disease and stroke. It highlights the prevalence, risks, and prevention of CVD while supporting ongoing efforts to combat it through education, research, and improved healthcare access.
Key Provisions
- Designation and Support: The Senate officially designates February 2026 as American Heart Month and endorses its goals and ideals.
- Commitment to Fighting CVD: Reaffirms U.S. dedication to:
- Promoting awareness of CVD causes, risks (e.g., high blood pressure, poor diet, obesity, diabetes), and prevention strategies like lifestyle changes and medical treatment.
- Supporting research on CVD.
- Enhancing access to affordable, high-quality care to lower long-term disability and death rates.
- Recognition of Broader Issues: Acknowledges the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on heart health and mortality; notes CVD's role as a leading cause of death across demographics, including maternal and infant deaths.
- Commendation and Encouragement: Praises efforts by states, local governments, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals; urges all Americans to learn about their personal CVD risks.
- Historical Context: References the tradition of presidential proclamations for American Heart Month since 1964 and events like National Wear Red Day to spotlight women's heart health.
The preamble provides statistics on CVD's toll, such as over 919,000 deaths in 2023, $417 billion in annual costs (2020-2021), and its status as the top killer, outpacing cancer and respiratory diseases combined.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws or statutes. It builds on longstanding tradition (e.g., under U.S. Code Title 36, encouraging presidential proclamations) without creating new legal requirements or altering prior policies.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Encourages greater public awareness and preventive actions, potentially leading to earlier detection and healthier lifestyles, which could reduce CVD-related deaths and healthcare costs (projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2035).
- On Government Agencies: Supports entities like the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (part of the National Institutes of Health) in research and education efforts; may prompt the President to issue a related proclamation, but imposes no mandates.
- On International Relations: Minimal to none, as it focuses on domestic public health awareness.
- Overall: Symbolic impact to foster national dialogue on heart health, including disparities in racial and ethnic minority groups, without direct enforcement.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Individuals and Families: All Americans, especially those at risk for CVD (e.g., men, women, children, minorities, pregnant women, and infants with congenital defects).
- Healthcare Providers and Researchers: Doctors, hospitals, and scientists benefiting from supported research and awareness campaigns.
- Nonprofit and Advocacy Organizations: Groups like the American Heart Association, which organize events such as National Wear Red Day.
- Government and Communities: Federal agencies (e.g., NIH), states, localities, and businesses involved in public health initiatives.
- Broader Society: Employers and the economy, given CVD's productivity losses and high costs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution agreed to by the Senate, it has no force of law and requires no House approval or presidential signature. It relies on voluntary participation and aligns with constitutional congressional powers to express policy views (Article I).
- Constitutional: No significant issues; it promotes general welfare (a congressional power under the Constitution) through non-coercive health education.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (by Senators Durbin, D-Ill., and Crapo, R-Idaho) underscores unity on public health. It highlights health equity concerns (e.g., minority disparities) and pandemic aftereffects, potentially influencing future funding or legislation without binding commitments.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-25: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S689; text: CR S687)
- 2026-02-25: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
Bill Versions
- Designating February 2026 as American Heart Month. — issued 2026-02-25 — PDF (4 pages)