Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HR52

Introduced
1/24/23  

Caption

Memorializing the unborn by lowering the United States flag to half-staff on the 22d day of January each year.

Impact

If adopted, HR52 would impact state laws in terms of memorialization practices and flag etiquette. It encourages local and state governments to recognize this date officially by lowering flags, thereby influencing collective societal norms around the issue of abortion. The resolution also serves as a call to action for legislators to enact laws that align with the bill's message that respects the sanctity of life, potentially spurring further legislative measures aimed at restricting or regulating abortion at state levels.

Summary

House Resolution 52 (HR52) proposes a symbolic gesture to memorialize the unborn by designating January 22nd each year as a day to lower the United States flag to half-staff. This date marks the anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, which initially recognized abortion as a constitutional right in 1973. The resolution comes in the context of the Court's recent decision in June 2022 to overturn Roe, reaffirming that there is no constitutional right to abortion. Proponents of the resolution aim to honor the lives lost through abortion, claiming over 60 million unborn children have perished since the ruling in 1973.

Contention

The resolution is likely to spark various points of contention regarding the state's role in memorializing and legislating issues surrounding reproductive rights. Supporters see it as a necessary acknowledgment of the value of life, while opponents may argue it politicizes a deeply personal and divisive issue. Critics may also express concerns over the potential implications for women's rights and reproductive health legislation, viewing the resolution as an attempt to influence public sentiment and lawmaking in favor of anti-abortion stances.

Companion Bills

US SR10

Related A resolution memorializing the unborn by lowering the United States flag to half-staff on the 22nd day of January each year.

Previously Filed As

US SR10

A resolution memorializing the unborn by lowering the United States flag to half-staff on the 22nd day of January each year.

US HR56

Memorializing the unborn by lowering the United States flag to half-staff on the 22d day of January each year.

US HR464

Acknowledging that unborn children are legal and constitutional persons who are entitled to the equal protection of the laws.

US HR200

Condemning the horrific shootings that occurred in Monterey Park, California, on January 21, 2023, and in Half Moon Bay, California, on January 23, 2023, honoring the memory of the victims of the attacks, expressing condolences and support to all those impacted by these tragedies, and reaffirming the House of Representative's commitment to supporting the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community.

US SB18

Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act This bill creates new federal crimes related to the performance of an abortion on an unborn child who has Down syndrome. It subjects a violator to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. It also authorizes civil remedies, including damages and injunctive relief. A woman who undergoes such an abortion may not be prosecuted or held civilly liable.

US HR414

Recognizing that the United States has a moral and legal obligation to provide reparations for the enslavement of Africans and its lasting harm on the lives of millions of Black people in the United States.

US HR546

Celebrating the historic anniversary of the June 24, 2022, decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.

US HR54

Affirming the role of the United States in improving access to quality, inclusive public education and improving learning outcomes for children and adolescents, particularly for girls, around the world.

US SR32

A resolution condemning the violent insurrection in Brazil on January 8, 2023, and expressing United States solidarity with the people of Brazil, as well as support for safeguarding Brazil's democratic institutions.

US HR560

Recognizing the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag as the official symbol of the Vietnamese-American community in the United States.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.