WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), and Mike Braun (R-Ind.), on Friday hailed U.S. Senate passage of their bipartisan resolution that recognizes the importance of diaper banks across the country. Diaper banks, which provide diapers free of charge, are critical to communities in need. These banks also play a huge role in the aftermath of natural disasters. The National Diaper Bank Network is headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut. In 2017, more than 300 nonprofit diaper banks and diaper pantries came together to help more than 225,000 children in need receive diapers.

Other original cosponsors of this resolution include U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Robert Casey (D-Pa.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).

“Diapers can be costly and families often struggle to buy this basic necessity for their kids. This is a harsh reality for Americans across the country. Passing this bipartisan resolution allows us to recognize the important work done by National Diaper Bank Network and diaper banks across the country, and increase awareness of the importance of helping our communities with basic needs we all take for granted,” said Murphy.  

“Diaper banks like Fargo’s Great Plains Food Bank exist because of dedicated public servants who want to help families in need and those who live in areas recently affected by natural disasters,” said Cramer. “They demonstrate how local communities can collectively meet the needs of the most vulnerable among us, and I applaud the Senate for recognizing their contribution to society.”

“Families shouldn’t have to struggle to provide diapers for their children. Diaper bank organizations provide hope and help for families and children in need, and I’m grateful for the work these organizations do in Alabama and across the country,” said Jones.

“As a proud father of four, I understand every parent’s desire to provide for their children,” said Braun. “Unfortunately, many American families do not have the means to provide the basic necessities for their children which is why resources, like Diaper Banks, are a great aid in providing families the relief they need to care for their children.” 

"Diaper need – the inability to provide enough diapers to keep a child clean, dry, and healthy – impacts one in three families in America, creating health risks for children and making it difficult for parents to go to work or school.  The (unanimous) passage of S.R. 205, just in time for National Diaper Need Awareness Week, recognizes the importance of ensuring that children and families have the basic necessities they need to reach their full potential. We are grateful to Senators Murphy and Cramer for leading this bipartisan resolution, and to the bipartisan co-sponsors and supporters of this effort. We look forward to continuing our work with all of them to end diaper need in the U.S.,” said Joanne Goldblum, CEO of National Diaper Bank Network.

Full text of the resolution can be found here.

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