Sen. Murkowski Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Extend ALS Research Funding Through 2031
This bill was recently introduced in the Senate and is currently being reviewed by the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. It is in the early stages of the legislative process and has no upcoming votes scheduled at this time. The bill is considered active as it waits for the committee to decide on its next steps.
This bill has support from both parties and builds on a program that already exists. Since it helps people with a terminal illness, it usually moves through Congress quickly.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
People living with ALS and other rare neurodegenerative diseases benefit most directly from this bill. It extends funding for research grants that support clinical trials of investigational drugs and broadens which trials qualify, potentially speeding up access to new treatments. ALS is a rapidly progressing fatal disease, so continued federal investment in research and expanded access programs is especially meaningful for the roughly 30,000 Americans living with it at any given time.
“To amend the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act to reauthorize the provisions of such Act through fiscal year 2031, and for other purposes.”
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 461.
The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis led the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee in unanimously clearing H.R. 8205, the ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act. The bill ensures critical research and access efforts continue without interruption while bolstering oversight on FDA spending and drug trials.
A bipartisan coalition led by Reps. Mike Quigley and Ken Calvert introduced H.R. 8205 to prevent a 'funding cliff' for ALS research. The bill extends the 2021 landmark law through 2031, mandating stricter accountability for clinical trials and greater regulatory transparency for new therapies.
The ALS Network announced support for the Senate introduction of the ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act (S. 4472) by Senators Lisa Murkowski and Chris Coons. The legislation aims to sustain momentum in research and expand 'compassionate use' access for patients ineligible for traditional trials.
No votes recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.