House Resolution Proposes Annual Flag Lowering on Jan 22 for 'Day of Tears' Mourning Abortions

This House Resolution proposes an official, annual act of remembrance: lowering the United States flag to half-staff every January 22nd. The resolution designates this date as the 'Day of Tears,' explicitly intended to mourn the lives lost to abortion since the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision in 1973. It references the Dobbs decision overturning Roe in 2022 and cites a figure of over 62 million abortions since 1973 as the basis for this proposed national observance.

More Than Just a Flagpole

While the core action is symbolic – using the flag to mark a specific viewpoint on abortion – the resolution goes further. It formally expresses the House's support for recognizing this 'Day of Tears' nationwide. This isn't just about remembrance; it's about embedding a specific perspective on abortion into the national calendar and symbols. For those who view abortion as the loss of life, this might feel like appropriate national recognition and mourning. For others, using a national symbol like the flag for this purpose could feel divisive or like the government endorsing one side of a deeply contested issue.

A Push for Policy

The resolution doesn't stop at symbolism. It includes language encouraging legislators, presumably at both federal and state levels, to take two specific actions:

1. Enact laws affirming the 'sanctity of life.' This is a clear nudge towards passing legislation that aligns with an anti-abortion stance, potentially including further restrictions on abortion access.
2. Ensure 'robust abortion reporting data.' What 'robust' means isn't defined in the resolution. While data collection can inform policy, calls for more detailed reporting often raise privacy concerns for patients and providers, depending on what information is collected and how it's used.

Real-World Ripples

If adopted, this resolution primarily serves as a statement of values and encouragement for future action. The annual flag lowering would be a visible reminder of the ongoing abortion debate. The call for legislation affirming the 'sanctity of life' signals support for policy changes, potentially impacting access to reproductive healthcare down the line. The encouragement for 'robust' data reporting could lead to new state or federal requirements, raising practical questions about implementation and privacy safeguards. Essentially, this resolution uses a symbolic act to reinforce a specific viewpoint and encourage related legislative efforts.