Media Contact: Brendan Daly (202.794.1580)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 3, 2016) — Twelve members of Congress signed on as cosponsors of the bipartisan Reach Every Mother and Child Act (H.R. 3706) Wednesday, bringing the total number to 100 in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation will save the lives of millions of moms and kids around the world.

“I thank each of the Reach Act’s 100 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 end preventable mother and child deaths by 2030.

“We’ve already made tremendous progress over the last 25 years, drastically reducing preventable deaths of mothers and kids under 5. Investments in cost-effective solutions can give all kids and mothers a fair shot at a healthy life.”

The Reach Every Mother and Child Act, sponsored by Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA), is a bold, bipartisan bill supported by more than 20 diverse non-profit groups, including SCAN, working to end maternal and infant mortality overseas. This crucial legislation can substantially reduce preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths worldwide – helping achieve the U.S. commitment to significantly contributing to ending these deaths within a generation.

A companion bill in the Senate currently has 13 cosponsors.

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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.