Blue Star Mothers Day Act

119th Congress Introduced by Joni Ernst

Designates February 1 each year as Blue Star Mothers Day to publicly recognize and encourage observance of Blue Star Mothers and their families.

Introduced in Senate

Overview

S.4789, the Blue Star Mothers Day Act, Introduced in the 119th Congress by Sen. Joni Ernst, seeks to designate February 1 of each year as “Blue Star Mothers Day.” The bill adds a new commemorative day to the U.S. Code and encourages broad recognition and observance by private citizens, organizations, and government entities at all levels.

Purpose and intent

Establish an official designation for a yearly Blue Star Mothers Day on February 1.

Honor the sacrifices and contributions of Blue Star Mothers—families who have supported loved ones serving in the Armed Forces.

Promote recognition through proclamations, activities, and educational efforts to strengthen military communities and appreciation for military families.

Key provisions

Amendment to Chapter 1 of Title 36, United States Code:

New section added: §149. Blue Star Mothers Day.
(a) Designation: February 1 is Blue Star Mothers Day.
(b) Recognition: Encourages private citizens, organizations, and all levels of government to recognize the day through proclamations, activities, and educational efforts highlighting the service and sacrifice of Blue Star Mothers.

Clerical: The table of sections is amended to include the new §149, “Blue Star Mothers Day.”

Who/what is affected

Government entities at the Federal, state, and local levels are encouraged to recognize the day.

Private citizens and organizations are encouraged to participate in proclamations, activities, and educational efforts.

Blue Star Mothers — women who have mothers with loved ones serving in the Armed Forces — and their families are the primary beneficiaries through formal recognition and visibility.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Introduced in the Senate (June 16, 2026) and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

No accompanying appropriation or enforcement mechanism is included; the measure functions as a symbolic designation with a directive to recognize the day.

If enacted, the designation would apply annually on February 1 and would be added to the relevant section of Title 36.

Notable context

The bill references and honors the historical origins of Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., which has congressional recognition under Public Law 86-653.

The emphasis is on voluntary observance rather than establishment of new programs or funding.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to other U.S. commemorative days or provide potential implications for state and local governments in terms of proclamations or educational activities.