Expressing support for the designation of May 2025 as "National Brain Tumor Awareness Month".
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 371
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-01: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T20:30:27Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 371) expresses congressional support for designating May 2025 as "National Brain Tumor Awareness Month." It aims to highlight the prevalence, challenges, and need for awareness and research into brain tumors, a serious health condition affecting many Americans.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes detailed background facts ("Whereas" clauses) on brain tumors, followed by supportive actions ("Resolved" clauses):
- Prevalence and Impact: Estimates over 93,000 new diagnoses in 2025 (including 5,000 children), with more than 1,000,000 Americans living with brain tumors. It notes brain tumors as the leading cancer death cause for children under 14 and teens under 19, and the second-leading cause for young adults aged 15-39.
- Survival and Mortality: The average 5-year survival rate for malignant brain tumors is 35.7%, with about 18,330 deaths expected in 2025. Tumors can be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous) but remain life-threatening.
- Challenges in Treatment and Research: Over 100 types of brain tumors exist, complicating treatment due to the brain's fragile nature. Few new treatments have been approved since the 1980s, none curative or extending life beyond 2 years on average. Mortality rates have barely changed in 30 years, and early detection methods are limited.
- Supportive Actions:
- Endorses the May 2025 designation.
- Encourages public awareness to honor those affected.
- Supports development of better treatments to improve quality of life and outcomes.
- Expresses solidarity with patients, families, friends, and caregivers.
- Urges collaborative research to advance understanding and treatments.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws or statutes. It serves as a symbolic statement of congressional intent rather than enforceable legislation.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Increases public awareness of brain tumors, potentially encouraging early detection, support for affected individuals, and donations to research. It honors patients and survivors, fostering community outreach during May 2025.
- On Government Agencies: May indirectly influence federal health agencies (e.g., National Institutes of Health) by highlighting research needs, though it does not allocate funds or mandate actions.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as it focuses on U.S. domestic health awareness.
Overall, impacts are primarily educational and motivational, promoting advocacy without financial or regulatory obligations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Patients and Families: Individuals diagnosed with brain tumors (malignant or benign), their families, friends, and caregivers, who receive explicit congressional support.
- Medical and Research Community: Doctors, researchers, and nonprofit foundations focused on brain tumor studies, benefiting from calls for collaboration and better treatments.
- Public and Advocates: General population, especially during awareness activities in May 2025, and advocacy groups uniting for outreach.
- Children and Young Adults: Highlighted as particularly vulnerable groups due to high mortality rates from brain tumors.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution, it has no legal force and does not require presidential approval or Senate concurrence. It aligns with Congress's role in raising awareness for public health issues.
- Constitutional: No implications; it falls under Congress's broad authority to express views on national matters without infringing on individual rights.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support (introduced by Reps. McCaul and Quigley from different parties), signaling priority for health awareness. It could encourage future funding or policy discussions on brain tumor research, though it remains symbolic and non-partisan in tone. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for consideration.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-01: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-05-01: Submitted in House
- 2025-05-01: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Expressing support for the designation of May 2025 as "National Brain Tumor Awareness Month". — issued 2025-05-01 — PDF (4 pages)