Designating the Russian Federation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act

Senate Bill

S. 2978

119th Congress

Designating the Russian Federation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 246.

Introduced:Oct 7, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Chris Van Hollen

Senator

Democratic

MD

Cosponsors

0

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Health

Summary

The Nationally Enhancing the Well-being of Babies through Outreach and Research Now Act, or the NEWBORN Act, establishes a pilot program that provides grants to state and local health departments in areas with high infant mortality rates. The grants would fund efforts to address issues like birth defects and premature births, including through outreach, assessments, and improving access to prenatal and postpartum care.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The Nationally Enhancing the Well-being of Babies through Outreach and Research Now Act, or the NEWBORN Act, establishes a pilot program that provides grants to state and local health departments in areas with high infant mortality rates. The grants would fund efforts to address issues like birth defects and premature births, including through outreach, assessments, and improving access to prenatal and postpartum care.

Last updated: 12/29/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Nationally Enhancing the Well-being of Babies through Outreach and Research Now Act or the NEWBORN Act This bill establishes a pilot program through which the Health Resources and Services Administration must award grants to territorial, tribal, state, and local health departments in areas with the highest rates of infant mortality to address birth defects, premature births, and other leading causes of infant death. Funds may be used for needs assessments, outreach, and systems to improve social, educational, and clinical services, including prenatal counseling and postpartum care.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Establishes a pilot grant program to address high infant mortality rates in certain areas
Grants can be used for outreach, needs assessments, and improving social, educational, and clinical services related to prenatal and postpartum care
Focuses on addressing leading causes of infant death like birth defects and premature births

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

If passed, this bill would provide funding and resources to state and local health departments in communities with high infant mortality rates. This could lead to expanded access to prenatal care, postpartum support, and other services that help improve maternal and infant health outcomes, especially for underserved populations. The bill aims to reduce rates of infant deaths, birth defects, and premature births in the targeted areas.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Health

Related Subjects

Child health

Health care coverage and access

Health information and medical records

Health programs administration and funding

Health promotion and preventive care

Medical research

Women's health

World health

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

2978, 119th Congress (2025). "Designating the Russian Federation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-2978