September 28, 2024
Dear Friends,
Throughout this Congress, my Democratic colleagues and I have never wavered in our commitment to strengthening our communities and putting people over politics. But over the past two years, Republicans have worked hard to obstruct our efforts to deliver for the American people —threatening to shut down the federal government in their attempts to enact extremist policies drawn from Donald Trump’s Project 2025. This week, Democrats united once again to pass short-term government funding legislation that avoids a devastating GOP shutdown while rejecting those dangerous policies.
I’m proud of our efforts to get the business of the American people done and protect the essential federal services that millions of families rely upon. But this week, I’m even prouder to celebrate the passage of three bills I authored or led that will help ease the burden carried by those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their loved ones. With the passage of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) Reauthorization Act, the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act, and the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Reauthorization Act, I’m working to deliver the resources we need to bring hope to the millions of Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, and it is unfortunately growing fast. One in three American seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, and studies show that Alzheimer’s and other dementias cost the American people an estimated $345 billion in 2023 alone. That’s why I’ve been working tirelessly since my first days in Washington to bolster our federal government’s efforts to address Alzheimer’s and provide support to those living with this devastating disease.
During my first term in Congress, I proudly voted to advance the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA). This legislation required the federal government to develop a first-ever national plan to end Alzheimer’s, with the goal of effectively treating and preventing the disease by 2025. Since that bill was signed into law, we’ve made tremendous progress in raising awareness of Alzheimer’s and coordinating federal efforts to find new treatments and potential cures for the disease. However, the essential programs supported by that legislation are set to expire soon.
With that in mind, last year I reintroduced the National Alzheimer’s Project Act Reauthorization Act, which reauthorizes NAPA through 2035 to provide a roadmap for continued federal efforts to respond to Alzheimer’s and dementia. And earlier this week, I was thrilled to see that legislation pass through the House alongside two other Alzheimer’s-related bills that I’ve championed in recent years. In addition to the NAPA Reauthorization Act, the House on Monday also passed the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act, which will ensure scientists can speak directly to Congress about the resources they need to effectively treat Alzheimer’s. This comes on the heels of the House passage last week of the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Reauthorization Act, which will drive public health research, early detection infrastructure, and support for caregivers for those living with Alzheimer’s.
Our work on this issue is far from over. While the NAPA Reauthorization Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act have been sent to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law, the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Reauthorization Act is still awaiting passage through the Senate — and I urge my Senate colleagues to take up and pass this critical legislation as soon as possible. Once all three bills are signed into law, we will need to continue to work closely with our federal agency partners to ensure their proper implementation. But today, I am immensely proud of the pivotal strides we’ve taken to bring a much-needed dose of hope to those living with Alzheimer’s and their families.
I’m grateful to my colleagues for joining me in advancing this critical legislation, and I’m endlessly thankful for the dedicated advocates at the Alzheimer’s Association, the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, and countless other organizations both local and national whose tireless efforts have made this progress possible. Together, we can win the fight against Alzheimer’s once and for all.
As always, thank you for reading.
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
My office and I are working to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations from federal agencies. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:
- Last week, the U.S. State Department announced that their new Online Passport Renewal (OPR) system is now available to the American public 24/7!
- OPR is a secure and paperless process that makes it easier for Americans to renew their passports by eliminating the need to print a paper application, use a check, and physically mail their application.
- With this new tool, you can now renew your passport online at your convenience and from the comfort of your own home!
- You can see if you qualify to renew with OPR by visiting travel.state.gov/renewonline!
