H.R.es381 - Expressing support for the designation of May 5, 2025, as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. (119th Congress)
Summary
H.Res.381 expresses support for designating May 5, 2025, as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). The resolution acknowledges the disproportionately high rates of violence experienced by American Indian and Alaska Native women. It also references previous legislative and executive actions aimed at addressing the MMIWG crisis.
Expected Effects
The resolution itself does not create new laws or allocate funding. It serves to raise awareness and encourage action. It also calls for a new study by the Department of Justice's National Institute of Justice to update statistics on MMIWG.
Potential Benefits
- Increased awareness of the MMIWG crisis.
- Commemoration of victims and solidarity with their families.
- Potential for improved data collection and analysis.
- Encouragement of further action to address the crisis.
- Reinforces previous legislative efforts.
Potential Disadvantages
- The resolution is symbolic and does not guarantee concrete action.
- It relies on voluntary participation and awareness campaigns.
- It does not directly address the root causes of the MMIWG crisis.
- Potential for the day to become performative without meaningful change.
- May not reach all affected communities.
Constitutional Alignment
The resolution aligns with the general welfare clause of the Constitution's preamble, as it seeks to address a significant social problem. Congress has broad authority to legislate on matters affecting Native American tribes, stemming from the Commerce Clause (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3) and the treaty power (Article 2, Section 2, Clause 2). The resolution does not infringe upon any specific constitutional rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).