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Supportive Statements by Lawmakers

Hundreds of federal, state, and city lawmakers have issued proclamations in support of Men’s Health Week.

In addition, numerous federal lawmakers, governors, and state lawmakers, both Republican and Democratic, have made statements in support of men and boys:

Federal Lawmakers:

• President Donald Trump (R):
  • June 13, 2025: “For far too long, the health, happiness, and well-being of our Nation’s men have been neglected…This neglect has been compounded by a vicious campaign against masculinity…This war on manhood has left many American men in a state of loneliness, confusion, and emptiness.”
• Vice President JD Vance (R):
  • February 22, 2025: “My message to young men is don’t allow this broken culture to send you a message that you’re a bad person because you’re a man, because you like to tell a joke, because you like to have a beer with your friends, or because you’re competitive.”
• Former President Barack Obama (D):
  • July 16, 2025: “We rightly have tried to invest in girls to make sure that there’s a level playing field, and they’re not barred from opportunities. But we haven’t been as willing, I think, to be intentional about investing in the boys. And that’s been a mistake. And I think people are starting to recognize that. [But] I think there’s a healthier conversation taking place now, both among this new generation of young women and men, but also among the public at large that’s starting to see like, hey, we gotta do better by our boys.”
• Sen. Josh Hawley, Missouri (R):
  • July 12, 2025: “Of all the things this country needs—stronger borders, better-paying jobs, some basic safety on our streets—above all, America needs stronger men. The left has spent decades running men down, blaming them for everything from climate change to ‘the patriarchy.’ They’re wrong. Strong men aren’t the problem. For America, stronger, better men are the solution.”
• Sen. Roger Marshall, Kansas (R):
  • June 18, 2025: “As an OBGYN for more than 25 years, I know firsthand the challenges facing mothers, and how important a stable support system can be to both pediatric and maternal health outcomes. Fathers play such a critical role in their households, and I am proud to support legislation that champions their role as providers, spouses, and caregivers.”
• Sen. Raphael Warnock, Georgia (D):
  • June 18, 2025: “Georgia’s maternal mortality rate is a crisis that we must address with every tool at our disposal. That includes redoubling our efforts to uplift the role of fathers in keeping their family healthy during pregnancy and early childhood. Now is the time to spread awareness about the critical role of fathers in improving maternal health outcomes and creating thriving families and communities.”
• Rep. Burgess Owens, Utah (R):
  • June 15, 2025: “We know that when fathers are engaged, children thrive, succeed in school, stay out of trouble and build brighter futures. This Father’s Day, I’m proud to reintroduce this resolution to recognize the power and purpose of fatherhood, and to send a clear message: America is stronger when families are strong, fathers are present, and parents are empowered.”
• Rep. Byron Donalds, Florida (R):
  • June 15, 2025: “A father’s impact is truly incalculable. It is fundamental for growth and development throughout a child’s life. Fathers are providers, protectors, teachers, mentors, role models, and so much more. Too many children across our country have been robbed of this lasting influence and we must do everything we can to end the tragic cycle of fatherlessness in America.”

• Rep. Rich McCormick, Georgia (R):
  • May 1, 2025: “Men’s health is a critical issue that we must address head-on. As a physician and a Marine veteran, I understand the importance of prioritizing mental well-being and adopting a healthy lifestyle. Through the Men’s Health Caucus, we will work tirelessly to raise awareness, promote preventive care, and support legislation that improves the lives of men, boys, and their families across our nation.”
• Rep. Ted Lieu, California (D):
  • May 1, 2025: “The disparities in men’s health—whether in life expectancy, disease detection, or mental health—are stark and demand serious attention. I am pleased to join colleagues on both sides of the aisle in promoting greater awareness, encouraging preventative care, and supporting initiatives that empower men to prioritize their health. Men’s health is not just a men’s issue—it’s a family issue, a workforce issue, and a national priority. Together, we can help ensure more men live longer, healthier lives.”
• Sen. Chris Murphy, Connecticut (D):
  • August 11, 2024: “You’d be foolish to ignore the fact that men and boys are going through something right now that’s really troubling and really hard… This issue of what men are going through today is important and relevant, so I’m not afraid to talk about it.”
• Rep. Frederica Wilson, Florida (D):
  • July 27, 2023: “The U.S. Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys (CSSBMB) is the culmination of my work as U.S. Congresswoman to empower our Black men and boys.”

Governors:

• Gov. Gavin Newsome, California(D):
  • July 30, 2025: “Men account for nearly 80 percent of all suicides, and young men are three times more likely to die by suicide than young women; WHEREAS my Administration is in the midst of implementing several initiatives that are directly responsive to addressing the negative outcomes for men and boys.”
• Gov. Ned Lamont, Connecticut (D):
  • July 25, 2025: “WHEREAS, false accusations can result in severe and lasting harm, including emotional trauma, reputational damage, financial loss, and wrongful incarceration…THEREFORE, I, Ned Lamont, Governor of the State of Connecticut, do hereby officially proclaim September 9, 2025 as International Falsely Accused Awareness Day.”
• Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan (D):
  • April 10, 2025: “I’m signing an executive directive that will make an effort to reach more young men and boost their enrollment in our higher education and skills training programs.”
• Gov. Wes Moore, Maryland (D):
  • February 5, 2025: “The data are telling we need to have greater statewide focus on supporting and elevating our men and boys…. If we truly want to unleash the power of Maryland’s labor force, we need to make sure that our men and boys are all right,  and our men and boys are not continuing to fall behind.” (Standing ovation)
    • Video (four minutes)
  • April 15, 2025: Interview with Tim Miller (45 minutes)

State Lawmakers:

Hundreds of proclamations have been issued by federal, state, and city lawmakers for Men’s Health Week. In addition:

Arkansas:

• “Studies show that children raised in one-parent households are more likely to suffer from a range of negative effects. And yet, divorce courts routinely just relegate fathers to the status of a weekend visitor.” — Former governor Mike Huckabee

Georgia:

• “(1) There is a silent health crisis affecting the health and well-being of Georgia’s men; (2) This health crisis is of particular concern to men, but is also a concern for women, and especially to those who have fathers, husbands, sons, and brothers” — Georgia General Assembly, selected findings from law to establish a Commission on Men’s Health

Hawaii:

• “Across the United States, there is a renewed understanding of the unique importance of fathers in the lives of their children, families, and communities. It is widely recognized that children are more likely to thrive with support, guidance, and nurturing from both parents. The absence of one parent from a child’s life can place that child at a greater risk of health, emotional, educational, and behavioral problems associated with the child’s development.” — Findings from the law to establish a Commission on Fatherhood.

Kentucky:

• “This is not about parents in particular. This is not about politics in particular. It’s about what is going to be best for the children of Kentucky…I see this as a monumental change. When we can have two people, two parents involved in children’s lives, it increases the number, the chances of them succeeding in every category.” — Rep. Jason Petrie, Champion of H.B. 492, Equal shared parenting law.

Missouri:

• “Broken families are going to happen, but we should not be putting the children in the middle, and using them as pawns, and the game between the mothers and the fathers.” — Rep. Richard West, District 102, speaking in support of equal shared parenting legislation
• “Parents need to unite, parents need to come together, even if they get divorced.” — Rep. Wendy Hausman, St. Charles County

Ohio:

• In states that have enacted shared parenting laws, “They’ve seen a decrease in domestic violence, they’ve seen a decrease in conflict among parents. I’ve seen the neighborhoods that have fathers that are in children’s lives and the mothers in children’s lives, and collectively, you have a stronger community as a result of that.” — Rep. Thomas West, Canton

Washington State:

• “There are many issues that impact men and boys. Yet, there is no unified voice that would tackle these issues at the state level. If adopted, this legislation would create the first of its kind boys and men’s commission in the nation right here in Washington state.” — Rep. Mary Dye, WA-Pomeroy
• “Yes, I think [the well-being of boys and men] is a critical public policy issue that we need to be addressing.” — Rep. Ruth Kagi, WA-Shoreline
• “I am all for protecting women, but we have to protect men too. For that reason I’m voting no on this [stealthing] bill.” — Rep. Michelle Caldier, WA-26th District