Medical Research for Our Troops Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3906

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-11: Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T08:06:44Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Medical Research for Our Troops Act" (H.R. 3906) aims to restore and protect funding for medical research conducted by the Defense Health Agency (DHA). This includes research, development, testing, and evaluation efforts, with a focus on Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), which fund targeted studies on health issues affecting military personnel, such as cancer, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury.

Key Provisions

• Funding Increase: Amends Section 1407(1) of the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (Public Law 119-4) by raising the allocated amount for DHA research, development, test, and evaluation from $40,395,072,000 to $41,576,684,000.
• Textual Changes: Removes specific limiting language from the original act and simplifies the section by ending it with a period, effectively broadening the funding scope.
• Effective Date: The changes apply retroactively, as if they were part of the original 2025 appropriations act.
• CDMRP Implementation: Directs that CDMRP funds be used in line with the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-47). The Secretary of Defense must:
• Support all research programs, peer-reviewed projects, and initiatives outlined in the explanatory statement (a non-binding guide) accompanying the 2024 act.
• Allocate and spend funds to maintain program continuity, following specific funding levels and priorities detailed on pages 311–314 of that statement (e.g., for areas like breast cancer research or suicide prevention).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Restoration of Funds: Reverses potential cuts or limitations in the 2025 continuing appropriations act by adding approximately $1.18 billion to DHA's research budget, ensuring full support for CDMRP without reductions.
• Alignment with Prior Law: Shifts implementation of CDMRP back to the detailed structure of the 2024 appropriations act, overriding any temporary constraints in the 2025 act to preserve established research priorities and peer-review processes.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Defense (DoD), particularly the DHA and its research divisions, gains restored financial flexibility to continue ongoing projects without interruption. This could streamline budgeting and reduce administrative burdens from funding shortfalls.
• On Citizens: Primarily benefits military service members, veterans, and their families by sustaining medical research that addresses service-related health conditions. It may indirectly support civilian health advancements through dual-use research (e.g., treatments applicable to the general public).
• On International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill focuses on domestic DoD funding and does not involve foreign aid, alliances, or global health initiatives.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Department of Defense and DHA: Directly responsible for managing and executing the restored funds.
• Researchers and Medical Programs: Scientists, institutions, and peer-reviewed projects funded under CDMRP, including those studying military-specific health issues.
• Military Personnel and Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, as the research targets conditions like combat injuries and mental health challenges.
• Congressional Sponsors: A bipartisan group of 21 House members, indicating broad support across party lines for military health funding.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens congressional oversight of appropriations by amending a recent law to align with prior fiscal year details, ensuring compliance with established funding directives. No conflicts with existing statutes, as it builds on public laws without altering broader defense authorizations.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power of the purse (Article I, Section 9) to control federal spending, particularly for defense-related activities. It promotes fiscal continuity without raising separation-of-powers issues.
• Political: Highlights bipartisan priority on military health research amid ongoing budget debates, potentially setting a precedent for protecting earmarked (congressionally directed) funds in future continuing resolutions. The bill's referral to the House Appropriations Committee suggests it could influence broader defense spending negotiations.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

Cosponsors (51)

Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11] and 1 more

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-11: Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
• 2025-06-11: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-11: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E561)
• 2025-06-11: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Medical Research for Our Troops Act — issued 2025-06-11 — PDF (3 pages)