Bipartisan Reach Every Mother and Child Act Hits More Than 200 Cosponsors in U.S. House of Representatives

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Four members of Congress signed on as new cosponsors of the bipartisan Reach Every Mother and Child Act (H.R. 3706) this week, bringing the total number to 201 in the U.S. House of Representatives. With some of the largest bipartisan support for global health legislation in history, this bill will save the lives of millions of moms and kids around the world if enacted.

"I thank each of the Reach Act's 201 cosponsors for their leadership in the effort to end preventable deaths of mothers and children around the world," said Mark Shriver, president of Save the Children Action Network (SCAN). "Tragically, every day, 16,000 children die from diseases we know how to prevent, such as pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria. Around the globe, we know that proven interventions – like immunizations and clean water – can save the lives of mothers and children."

Representatives George Holding, (R-N.C.), Charles Boustany (R-La.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) this week cosponsored the Reach Act, originally introduced by Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Wash.) in October 2015. It is a bold, bipartisan bill supported by more than 50 diverse non-profit groups, including SCAN, working to end maternal and child mortality overseas. This crucial legislation can substantially reduce preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths worldwide – helping achieve the U.S. commitment to significantly contribute to ending these deaths within a generation.

The House bill is a companion to one introduced in the Senate in July 2015 by Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), which now has 26 cosponsors.

"We've already made tremendous progress over the last 25 years, drastically reducing preventable deaths of mothers and kids under 5," said Shriver. "Investments in cost-effective solutions can help kids survive and thrive."

Save the Children Action Network is the political voice for kids. We believe that every child deserves the best start in life. That's why we're building bipartisan will and voter support to make sure every child in the U.S. has access to high-quality early learning and that no mother or child around the globe dies from a preventable disease or illness. By investing in kids and holding leaders accountable, we are helping kids from birth to age five survive and thrive. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Media Contact: Allie Wright, [email protected], (202) 794-1823

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160420/357802LOGO

SOURCE Save the Children Action Network

Related Links

https://savethechildrenactionnetwork.org/