Recognizing the significance of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and the need for robust funding of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the National Institutes of Health.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1079
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-25: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-02T20:31:00Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 1079) aims to acknowledge the importance of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a neurological disorder that damages peripheral nerves (nerves outside the brain and spinal cord that carry signals to muscles and organs), and to urge increased federal funding for research through the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It highlights CMT's impact on affected individuals and calls for ongoing investment in rare disease research.
Key Provisions
- Background on CMT: The resolution notes that CMT affects an estimated 126,000 people in the U.S. and 2.6 million worldwide; it is mostly inherited (passed down genetically); the exact causing gene is unidentified; there are multiple types (e.g., CMT4B3); and federal funding for CMT research decreased from 2021 to 2022.
- House Actions:
- Recognizes CMT as a major disease affecting thousands of Americans and millions globally.
- Calls for strong funding to support CMT studies at NINDS/NIH.
- Emphasizes the need for continued investment in research for CMT and other rare diseases without cures.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
None. This is a non-binding resolution, meaning it expresses the House of Representatives' views but does not create, amend, or repeal any laws. It serves as a statement of intent rather than enforceable legislation.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: May encourage the NIH and NINDS to prioritize or increase funding for CMT and rare disease research in future budgets, potentially influencing congressional appropriations processes.
- On Citizens: Raises public awareness of CMT, which could lead to better support services, earlier diagnoses, or advocacy for affected individuals and families; no direct benefits or obligations for the general public.
- On International Relations: Minimal impact, though it indirectly supports global research efforts by highlighting worldwide prevalence (2.6 million cases).
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Individuals with CMT and Families: Primary beneficiaries through potential increased research leading to better treatments or a cure.
- Medical Researchers and NIH/NINDS: Could gain more resources for studying CMT and similar conditions.
- Advocacy Groups: Organizations focused on rare diseases may use this resolution to push for funding.
- Congress and Policymakers: Signals bipartisan support (introduced by Representatives Gottheimer and Bacon) for health research funding.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal/Constitutional: No direct implications, as resolutions like this do not require presidential approval or have the force of law; they align with Congress's constitutional power to appropriate funds (Article I, Section 9) but do not mandate spending.
- Political: Demonstrates congressional attention to rare diseases, potentially building momentum for future funding bills; the noted funding decline (2021–2022) underscores a call for reversal, which could influence budget debates without partisan bias in the text. It was introduced on February 25, 2026, and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for review.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-25: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-02-25: Submitted in House
- 2026-02-25: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Recognizing the significance of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and the need for robust funding of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the National Institutes of Health. — issued 2026-02-25 — PDF (2 pages)