JOhn, I wanted to take a minute to talk about some progress that was recently made in Congress.

Last week, the House passed my bill to extend and vastly increase funding for lifesaving research and cures for childhood cancer and rare diseases.

This fight started nearly a decade ago when Gabriella Miller – a girl from VA-10 – was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Gabriella became known nationwide as a fierce fighter, not only in her own battle with cancer but also as an advocate for the millions of other children who have suffered from this terrible disease. In response to what Congress needed to do about the issue of funding for childhood cancer research and cures, Gabriella said that there needed to be “less talking…more doing.”

Tragically, Gabriella passed away in 2013 at the age of 10. The next year, the first Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act was named in her honor, authorizing funding for childhood disease research through 2023. It’s been nearly nine years since we lost Gabriella, and there’s still a long fight ahead to better understand, treat, and ultimately cure childhood cancer.

Right now, the tools we have to fight these diseases are woefully inadequate. That’s why it has been a top priority for me to pass this bipartisan legislation. The Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0 will provide a major boost in funding (nearly double the previous amount), unlocking the full potential of the Kids First Pediatric Research Program and enabling the doctors, scientists, and researchers to step up their work to find ways we can help these children suffering from cancer and rare diseases.

I am proud of the wide bipartisan support this bill has received, with over 110 co-sponsors and a unanimous vote out of committee. I look forward to seeing this transformative legislation pass the Senate and be signed into law by President Biden in the coming months.

Thank you,

Jennifer Wexton