Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3391) to extend the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program at the National Institutes of Health, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3391

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0''. SEC. 2. FUNDING FOR THE PEDIATRIC RESEARCH INITIATIVE.

The Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) is amended--

(1) in section 402A(a)(2) (42 U.S.C. 282a(a)(2))--

(A) in the heading--

(i) by striking ``10-year''; and

(ii) by striking ``through common fund'';

(B) by striking ``to the Common Fund'' and inserting ``to the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives'';

(C) by striking ``10-Year'';

(D) by striking ``and reserved under subsection (c)(1)(B)(i) of this section''; and

(E) by striking ``2014 through 2023'' and inserting ``2024 through 2028'';

(2) in each of paragraphs (1)(A) and (2)(C) of section 402A(c) (42 U.S.C. 282a(c)), by striking ``section 402(b)(7)(B)'' and inserting ``section 402(b)(7)(B)(i)''; and

(3) in section 402(b)(7)(B)(ii) (42 U.S.C. 282(b)(7)(B)(ii)), by striking ``the Common Fund'' and inserting ``the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives''. SEC. 3. COORDINATION OF NIH FUNDING FOR PEDIATRIC RESEARCH.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that the Director of the National Institutes of Health should continue to oversee and coordinate research that is conducted or supported by the National Institutes of Health for research on pediatric cancer and other pediatric diseases and conditions, including through the Pediatric Research Initiative Fund.

(b) Avoiding Duplication.--Section 402(b)(7)(B)(ii) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 282(b)(7)(B)(ii)) is amended by inserting ``and shall prioritize, as appropriate, such pediatric research that does not duplicate existing research activities of the National Institutes of Health'' before ``; and''. SEC. 4. REPORT ON PROGRESS AND INVESTMENTS IN PEDIATRIC RESEARCH.

Not later than 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report that--

(1) details pediatric research projects and initiatives receiving funds allocated pursuant to section 402(b)(7)(B)(ii) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 282(b)(7)(B)(ii)); and

(2) summarizes advancements made in pediatric research with funds allocated pursuant to such section.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3391, the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0.

In the United States, it is estimated that nearly 10,000 children under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in 2024. Major advancements over the past several decades have improved survival rates, with 85 percent of children with cancer now living until 5 years or older. However, estimates predict that, tragically, over 1,000 children will still die from cancer this year, making it the leading cause of death from disease for kids.

This legislation would ensure progress toward a better understanding of childhood cancer and structural birth defects will continue. It would also prioritize nonduplicative research and coordination on pediatric research across the National Institutes of Health.
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Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the underlying bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

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