Walden and Burgess on "Right to Try' Becoming Law

Press Release

Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) and Health Subcommittee Chairman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) issued the following statement after President Trump signed into law S. 204, the Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017.

"The patient advocates in support of this policy have been some of the most dedicated to visit Capitol Hill. This law will give patients new opportunities to find a drug or therapy to help fight their terminal illness. While a long-time coming, today is a monumental win for patients desperately seeking the "right to try' investigational treatments and therapies," said Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden and Health Subcommittee Chairman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. "With "right to try' being the law of the land, we are confident that the Trump Administration, and FDA Commissioner Gottlieb, will take both Congressional intent and the safety of patients into consideration when implementing this important law."

Background:

The House passed S. 204 on May 22, 2018, by a bipartisan vote of 250-169. The Senate passed S. 204 on August 3, 2017, by unanimous consent.

In March 2018, the House passed H.R. 5247, its own version of "Right to Try," by a bipartisan vote of 267-149. After allowing the passage of the Senate bill, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer placed a hold on the House legislation without explanation, preventing it from being considered.

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