Pasadena Congresswoman Votes for 21st Century Cures Act, Should Advance Research and Medical Treatment

On Wednesday night, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 34, the 21st Century Cures Act, by a vote of 392-26. Over the next ten years, this bill should provide billions of dollars for medical research , including $1.8 billion for the Vice President’s Cancer Moonshot initiative and $1 billion over two years for grants to states to help combat the opioid epidemic.

Pasadena Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27) voted for the bill and released the following statement:

“I am proud to support this bipartisan bill that will help advance research and treatments that can save millions of lives. America is a global leader in medical research, and robust government support has always been essential to that. But even the best medical breakthrough will not help patients if it is too expensive to access, which is why I am troubled that this bill does not address the skyrocketing drug prices being charged by some pharmaceutical companies. Still, there is much in this legislation that will help research facilities in my district and around the country find cures to diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders, fight opioid abuse, and improve mental health. Moving forward, I will work to ensure that Congress continues to provide the funds promised in this bill so that we can achieve a healthier country for all of us.”

An earlier version of 21st Century Cures passed the House by a vote of 344-77 on July 10, 2015.