Supporting the goals and ideals of "Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Awareness Day".
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 872
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-10: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-12T08:05:35Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 872) aims to express support for designating November 12, 2025, as "Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Awareness Day." It seeks to highlight CJD, a rare and fatal brain disorder caused by prions (abnormal proteins that misfold and damage brain tissue), and promote greater public understanding of its effects, surveillance needs, and connections to related health issues.
Key Provisions
- Background on CJD: Describes CJD as a prion disease affecting 1-2 people per million annually in the U.S. (about 600 cases), with most cases sporadic (no known cause), some genetic, and rare acquired cases. Symptoms start with memory loss, behavior changes, coordination issues, and vision problems, progressing to severe mental decline, involuntary movements, blindness, weakness, and death within months to a year. It causes about 1 in 6,000 U.S. deaths yearly.
- Surveillance and Risks: Emphasizes the need for monitoring prion diseases to improve detection, track sources (e.g., potential links to "mad cow" disease in cattle or chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer, elk, and moose, detected in over 36 states), and assess human transmission risks from animals or other humans. Postmortem brain tissue exams are highlighted as essential.
- Supporting Institutions and Research: Recognizes the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center as the sole U.S. lab tracking human prion diseases. Notes potential benefits to Alzheimer's and related dementias (ADRD) research from studying CJD, and the applicability of ADRD caregiver support to CJD families.
- Challenges and Awareness: Acknowledges the rapid, devastating impact on patients, families, and caregivers due to the disease's rarity and quick progression. Calls for awareness to address these burdens.
- Resolution Actions: The House of Representatives supports the goals of CJD Awareness Day and recognizes the importance of educating the public about this disorder.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution with no legal force, so it introduces no changes to existing laws or statutes. It serves as a symbolic statement of congressional support rather than enacting new policies or regulations.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: May increase public awareness of CJD, potentially leading to earlier symptom recognition, better support for affected families, and reduced stigma around rare diseases. It could encourage donations or participation in research for patients and caregivers facing rapid decline.
- On Government Agencies: Indirectly bolsters the role of public health bodies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in prion surveillance, possibly influencing future funding priorities for labs like the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center. No direct mandates or budget changes.
- On International Relations: Minimal impact, though heightened U.S. awareness of prion risks (e.g., from animal sources) could align with global efforts to monitor diseases like BSE, fostering cooperation on food safety and zoonotic (animal-to-human) threats.
- Broader Effects: Could inspire similar awareness efforts for other rare diseases, benefiting research into neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's by drawing parallels.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Patients and Families: Individuals with CJD and their loved ones, who face unique emotional, financial, and care challenges due to the disease's speed and fatality.
- Caregivers and Healthcare Providers: Those supporting CJD patients, including applying lessons from dementia care.
- Researchers and Medical Institutions: Scientists studying prion diseases, ADRD, and related fields; the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center as the key U.S. monitoring entity.
- Public Health Officials: Agencies tracking disease prevalence and animal-human transmission risks.
- General Public and Policymakers: Broader awareness could influence support for rare disease initiatives.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: None, as resolutions like this do not create enforceable law or obligations; they are expressions of sentiment.
- Constitutional: No implications, as it aligns with Congress's power to recognize observances and promote public health education without infringing on individual rights.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support (introduced by members from both parties) for rare disease advocacy, potentially signaling priority for underfunded areas like prion research. It may encourage future legislative action on surveillance or funding but carries no binding weight.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]
Cosponsors (14)
Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14], Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20], Rep. Bean, Aaron [R-FL-4], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-10: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-11-10: Submitted in House
- 2025-11-10: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Supporting the goals and ideals of "Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Awareness Day". — issued 2025-11-10 — PDF (3 pages)