Bill
HRES 1257
The bill designates May 5, 2026 as a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and urges balanced commemorations and a new NIJ study.
Title: Expressing support for the designation of May 5, 2026, as the “National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls”
Purpose and intent
- The bill expresses formal support in the House for designating May 5, 2026, as a national day of awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).
- It articulates the objective of commemorating and raising awareness about the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and to show solidarity with families and communities affected.
Key provisions and changes
- Official designation support:
- Section 1: The House expresses support for designating May 5, 2026, as the National Day of Awareness for MMIWG.
- Public commemoration and solidarity:
- Section 2: Encourages the public and interested groups to commemorate the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls whose cases are documented and those undocumented in public records and media; and to demonstrate solidarity with victims’ families.
- Recommendation for updated data and research:
- Section 3: Recommends that the Department of Justice’s National Institute of Justice commission a new study with focused data on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls to provide up-to-date statistics, noting that the last such study was published nine years prior (2016).
- Acknowledgement of ongoing work:
- Section 4: Recognizes ongoing efforts and the need for continued work to address this nationwide crisis.
Background/context cited in the bill
- Cited statistics and context include:
- 2017 CDC data indicating homicide as a leading cause of death for American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls under 44, with murder rates over 10 times the national average.
- Approximately 1,500 Indigenous missing persons in the National Crime Information Center index and about 2,700 murder/nonnegligent homicide cases reported to federal authorities.
- 2020 statistics linking human trafficking victims in Hawai‘i to Native Hawaiian identity in a state study.
- The 2020 Savanna’s Act and Not Invisible Act (Public Laws 116-165 and 116-166) establishing interagency coordination and new protocols, including the DOI-DOJ joint commission.
- 2021–2023 developments: creation of a Missing and Murdered Unit within the DOI’s Bureau of Indian Affairs; Not Invisible Act Commission established and providing recommendations; DOJ/DOI actions and guidance updates.
- 2024 data: 5,614 Indigenous women and girls reported missing; 4,179 under 18; 628 active missing person records at year-end.
- May 5 is designated in prior years as a remembrance day honoring Hanna Harris (Northern Cheyenne), reflecting historical context for designations of MMIGW remembrance.
Affected entities and audience
- Primary audience: United States House of Representatives and the public.
- Groups and individuals affected in context:
- Indigenous communities, particularly families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
- Federal agencies (DOJ, DOI, National Institute of Justice) due to data collection, research, and interagency coordination responsibilities mentioned.
- General public and advocacy organizations engaged in awareness, remembrance, and policy responses to MMIWG.
Procedural and timeline aspects
- Introduction and sponsors:
- Introduced May 4, 2026, with multiple co-sponsors from various political affiliations.
- Referral:
- Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on the Judiciary for consideration within their jurisdictions.
- No substantive policy amendments or funding authorizations are proposed in the text; the bill centers on designation, commemorative guidance, and a commissioned study.
- Timeline implication:
- If enacted, designation of May 5, 2026, as the National Day of Awareness would occur in the near term, with the planned updated data study to be conducted and released by the National Institute of Justice (timeframe not specified in the bill).
Overall assessment
- The bill is a resolution expressing support for a commemorative designation and encouraging awareness, solidarity with families, and updated research on MMIWG.
- It aligns with ongoing federal efforts to address MMIWG through Savanna’s Act, Not Invisible Act, and related DOJ/DOI initiatives.
- It does not authorize funds or create new programs beyond recommending a new NIJ study and endorsing the awareness day.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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