Scalise Celebrates President's Signing of ACT for ALS Into Law

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today,House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) released the following statement after President Biden signed the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act (ACT for ALS) into law.

"It is exciting news that right before Christmas, the ACT for ALS bill has now become law! This new law is a strong step forward for so many people who are diagnosed with ALS. I was proud to spend the last year working with colleagues from both parties to get the bill passed through Congress, and was honored to work with New Orleans Saints legend Steve Gleason, who has been an inspiration to so many and also championed this bill as part of his tireless work to ensure people battling ALS have more opportunities when seeking treatment, cures, and independence to live their lives to the fullest. This important bipartisan law advances critical research and increases access to lifesaving drugs, and I'm glad to see Republicans and Democrats come together to take action for those diagnosed with ALS and other neuro diseases who want to live life to the fullest,"said Whip Scalise.

Whip Scalise cosponsored ACT for ALS, which is bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would establish grant programs to address neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. These grants would help fund early access to ALS investigational therapies for patients who are unable to participate in clinical trials. The legislation overwhelmingly passed the House 423-3 on December 8 and cleared the Senate by voice vote on December 16.

Whip Scalise has continued to work with former New Orleans Saints star Steve Gleason to get other lifesaving bills signed into law, including the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act of 2019 and the Steve Gleason Act of 2015, as well as its permanent extension in 2019.