Pallone Statement on Senate Passage of 21st Century Cures Act

Statement

Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) today issued the following statement praising the Senate for passing H.R. 34, the 21st Century Cures Act, by a vote of 94-5. Pallone was the lead House Democratic negotiator on this legislation, and worked closely with Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Gene Green (D-TX) during ongoing negotiations with Senate HELP Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA):

"With Senate passage today of the 21st Century Cures Act, we are one step closer to new treatments and cures for some of the most debilitating and life-threatening diseases that afflict millions of Americans. This legislation provides billions of dollars in funding for Vice President Biden's Cancer Moonshot Initiative, research to increase our understanding and treatment of brain disorders like Alzheimer's and traumatic brain injury, and grants for states and communities hard-hit by the opioid abuse crisis. It also includes important reforms to our broken mental health system and provides more kids inpatient psychiatric treatment through Medicaid.

"Over the last six months, we worked in a bipartisan fashion to craft this final bill that has now passed the House and Senate. I commend Senators Alexander and Murray for their steadfast commitment to getting this bill to the Senate floor, and for today's strong, bipartisan result."

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