WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced the landmark Momnibus Act, a comprehensive legislative package designed to end the nation's maternal health crisis and directly confront the devastating disparities that continue to claim the lives of Black mothers at alarming rates. U.S. Representatives Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and Alma S. Adams (D-NC-12), Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, introduced companion legislation in the House.

"Black mothers in America are dying at rates that are as shocking as they are unacceptable," said Senator Booker. "The United States has the worst maternal mortality rates among high-income nations, and Black women are more than three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes-even though most of these deaths are preventable. This crisis demands urgent, targeted action. I am proud to reintroduce the Momnibus Act, which invests in better care, strengthens community support, and confronts the systemic inequities that put Black moms at risk. Congress must act now to protect mothers and save lives."

"80% of maternal deaths in America are preventable, and the Momnibus is designed to stop them. I'm proud to introduce this historic legislation with Representative Alma Adams and Senator Cory Booker to build on the progress we have made and secure the investments we need to end this crisis," said Representative Lauren Underwood. "This bill has the tools we need to make America a safer place to give birth, especially for the Black moms and other women of color who are at the highest risk. The Momnibus will save moms' lives, and Congress must act urgently to pass it."

"The Momnibus Act is the most comprehensive piece of legislation ever drafted to address the maternal health crisis." said Congresswoman Adams, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. "The maternal mortality rate in the United States is worse today than it was 20 years ago. With all the advances of modern science, that speaks to a serious lack of investment in our research and health care systems that care for our moms. Not only that, the rate of mortality for Black women is disproportionately higher and that gap has not shrunk in decades. This is an unacceptable reality, and we must act urgently and boldly to address this crisis. The Momnibus is the solution. Congress must make the safety and health of our moms a priority and get this bill passed into law."

For years, the United States has had the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries, with stark racial disparities. In 2024, Black women faced a pregnancy-related mortality ratio more than three times higher than White women-even though more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.

The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (CA), Jeff Merkley (OR), Tim Kaine (VA), Tammy Duckworth (IL), Raphael Warnock (GA), Ruben Gallego (AZ), Martin Heinrich (NM), Brian Schatz (HI), Richard Blumenthal (CT), Mazie Hirono (HI), Tammy Baldwin (WI), Peter Welch (VT), Catherine Cortez Masto (NV), Amy Klobuchar (MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Adam Schiff (CA), Elissa Slotkin (MI), Michael Bennet (CO), Andy Kim (NJ), Tina Smith (MN), Edward Markey (MA), John Hickenlooper (CO), Chris Van Hollen (MD), Angela Alsobrooks (MD), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE), Patty Murray (WA), Gary Peters (MI), and Bernie Sanders (VT).

"In California and across the country, mothers often navigate pregnancy without the resources they need," said Senator Padilla. "That's why I'm proud to cosponsor the Momnibus Act to save and improve moms' lives through smart investments in pre and postnatal care."

The Momnibus Act makes targeted, high-impact investments to address the drivers of the Black maternal health crisis, including social determinants of health, access to culturally congruent care, maternal mental health, community-based supports, and the effects of climate change and public health emergencies on Black mothers and babies.

The Momnibus Act is composed of 14 bills that will:

• Invest in social determinants of health-including housing, transportation, and nutrition-to reduce preventable risks disproportionately affecting Black moms.
• Extend WIC eligibility during postpartum and breastfeeding periods.
• Fund community-based organizations trusted by Black families and rooted in the communities they serve.
• Increase maternal health care funding for veterans, including Black women veterans who face unique barriers.
• Grow and diversify the perinatal workforce to ensure Black mothers receive care from providers who understand their lived experiences.
• Improve maternal health data collection to identify and eliminate disparities.
• Expand maternal mental health and substance use disorder support, with attention to the needs of Black moms.
• Improve care for incarcerated mothers, who are disproportionately Black.
• Invest in digital tools to expand access to care in underserved communities.
• Promote innovative payment models that incentivize high-quality, culturally congruent care.
• Strengthen federal programs addressing maternal and infant health risks during public health emergencies.
• Support climate resilience initiatives for moms and babies, including Black families disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards.
• Invest in research to eliminate racial disparities and prevent maternal deaths.
• Promote maternal vaccinations to protect moms and infants.

The Momnibus Act is endorsed by more than 250 organizations. View the full list of endorsers here.

To read the full text of the one-pager here.

To read the full text of the bill, click here.