SR133

WHEREAS, the United States faces an ongoing crisis of inequality with middle- and lower-income households bearing the brunt of economic hardship; and

WHEREAS, access to affordable health care remains a critical issue, with millions of Americans lacking adequate coverage, resulting in preventable illnesses and deaths; and

WHEREAS, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic exacerbated existing disparities, disproportionately impacting marginalized communities and underscoring the importance of a robust public health infrastructure and equitable access to health care services; and

WHEREAS, the nation continues to witness an alarming number of traffic fatalities, shootings, suicides, and incidents of domestic violence, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address underlying social and mental health issues; and

WHEREAS, despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States ranks poorly in numerous health and social indicators, reflecting systemic failures in addressing the needs of its most vulnerable members of society; and

WHEREAS, it is the duty of Congress to prioritize the well-being of all citizens and enact legislation that promotes fairness, justice, and opportunity for every individual; and

WHEREAS, the United States is grappling with the staggering costs of living, including skyrocketing housing prices, exorbitant childcare expenses, and the ever-increasing burden of student-loan debt, which disproportionately affects middle- and lower-income families, hindering their ability to achieve financial stability and social mobility; and

WHEREAS, the nation also faces an escalating housing crisis characterized by a severe shortage of affordable housing units, rising rents, low wages that are incongruent with the respective estimates of the cost of living in cities throughout the country, and rampant homelessness, leaving millions of Americans precariously housed or without shelter altogether and further exacerbating economic insecurity and perpetuating cycles of poverty; and

WHEREAS, the urgency of this situation demands swift and concerted action from Congress to address the multifaceted challenges facing the middle- and lower-income households in America; and

WHEREAS, the failure to act decisively will perpetuate the decline in the infrastructure of the American public health apparatus and deepen the divide between social classes; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that Congress is urged to take immediate and decisive action to support middle- and lower-income households in America; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Congress is specifically urged to:

(1) Implement policies to ensure universal access to affordable health care, including the expansion of Medicaid and the establishment of a public option;

(2) Enact comprehensive gun control measures to reduce the incidence of shootings and promote community safety;

(3) Invest in mental health resources and support services to address the root causes of suicide and domestic violence;

(4) Allocate sufficient funding for public health initiatives and emergency preparedness to effectively combat present and future pandemics; and

(5) Prioritize infrastructure improvements and traffic safety measures to reduce the number of preventable traffic deaths; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States and Hawaii's Congressional Delegation.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Congress; Middle and Lower Income Households; Universal Healthcare; Gun Control; Mental Health; Public Health; Emergency Preparedness; Infrastructure Improvements

THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	133
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII