STEM CELL THERAPEUTIC AND RESEARCH REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2025

On 2026-07-20, Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-6) delivered a floor speech titled "STEM CELL THERAPEUTIC AND RESEARCH REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2025" in the House.

STEM CELL THERAPEUTIC AND RESEARCH REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2025

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026)] [House] [Pages H4642-H4643] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] {time} 1510 STEM CELL THERAPEUTIC AND RESEARCH REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2025 Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5160) to reauthorize the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5160 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE C.W. BILL YOUNG CELL TRANSPLANTATION PROGRAM. Section 379B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 274m) is amended-- (1) by striking ``appropriated $31,009,000'' and inserting the following: ``appropriated-- ``(1) $31,009,000''; (2) in paragraph (1), as so inserted, by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(2) $33,009,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.''. SEC. 3. CORD BLOOD INVENTORY. (a) In General.--Section 2(a) of the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 274k note) is amended by striking ``at least 150,000 new units of high-quality cord blood'' and inserting ``a sufficient supply, as determined by the Secretary, of high-quality cord blood units''. (b) Application.--Section 2(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 274k note) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``in perpetuity or''; and (2) by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows: ``(5) if the Secretary determines through an assessment, or through petition by the applicant, that a cord blood bank is no longer operational, does not meet the requirements described in subsection (d)(4), or does not meet the requirements of section 379(d)(4) of the Public Health Service Act, and as a result may not distribute the high- quality units, the Secretary may transfer the units collected pursuant to this section to another qualified cord blood bank or entity approved by the Secretary to ensure continued availability of high-quality cord blood units.''. (c) Duration of Contracts.--Section 2(d)(4) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 274k note) is amended to read as follows: ``(4) Consideration of best science.--The Secretary shall take into consideration current scientific and clinical information in order to maximize the availability of high- quality cord blood units meeting applicable clinical and quality standards for transplant when entering into contracts under this section, or when extending a period of funding under such a contract under paragraph (2).''. (d) Inventory Management.--Section 2 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 274k note) is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsections (e), (f), and (g) and as subsections (f), (g), and (h), respectively; and (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following: ``(e) Inventory Management.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall manage the size and composition of the National Cord Blood Inventory to maximize clinical utility, ensure genetic diversity, and promote the efficient use of resources. ``(2) Considerations.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary may-- ``(A) on the Secretary's own initiative or upon petition by a qualified cord blood bank, make determinations regarding the continued storage of cord blood units based on the best available scientific and clinical evidence; or ``(B) prioritize the collection, retention, or disposition of cord blood units based on scientific, clinical, or operational considerations that the Secretary determines to be relevant.''. (e) Definitions.--Section 2(g) of such Act, as redesignated by subsection (d)(1) of this section, is amended-- (1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively; and (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: ``(4) The term `high quality cord blood unit' means a cord blood unit that meets current industry standards and any requirements of the Food and Drug Administration.''. (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 2(h) of such Act, as redesignated by subsection (d)(1) of this section, is amended by striking ``fiscal years 2022 through 2026'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2027 through 2031''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kentucky. General Leave Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5160. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Kentucky? There was no objection. Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5160, led by my colleagues Representatives Smith and Matsui to reauthorize the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program and the National Cord Blood Inventory program. The C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program supports patients across the country with identifying matching and facilitating the distribution of bone marrow peripheral blood stem cells and cord blood donors for those who need blood stem cell transplants. This is critically important for those patients without a related family member who is unable to donate. For some patients, blood stem cell transplants are an opportunity for remission or even a cure when other treatments have failed. This bill ensures patients have access to these lifesaving opportunities. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5160, the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act. This bill reauthorizes the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program and the National Cord Blood Inventory, two programs that serve as national registries to connect patients with lifesaving care. [[Page H4643]] Each year, thousands of Americans are diagnosed with conditions that could require stem cell transplants, such as leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia, and other immune system disorders. Some patients have a fully matched relative who can serve as a donor, but most patients require a search for an unrelated donor. This transplantation program helps identify, match, and facilitate the distribution of stem cells and cord blood from unrelated donors. The National Cord Blood Inventory program maintains a robust inventory of high-quality cord blood units that can be used for research or transplantation. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased we are considering this bill to extend these programs. I encourage all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 5160, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), my good friend. Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, each year over 3.6 million babies are born in the United States. In the past, virtually every placenta and umbilical cord was tossed as medical waste. Today, doctors have turned this medical waste into medical miracles. Not only has God, in his infinite wisdom and goodness, created a placenta and an umbilical cord to nurture and protect the precious life of an unborn child, but now we know another gift awaits immediately after birth. Something very special is left behind: umbilical cord blood that is teeming with life-saving stem cells. Mr. Speaker, today the House will vote to reauthorize the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005, a law that I authored 21 years ago. That law created a new nationwide umbilical cord blood stem cell program designed to collect, type, and cryogenically freeze cord blood units for transplantation into patients to mitigate and cure serious disease. The law also provided that cord blood stem cells be used for research. The new cord blood program was combined with an expanded bone marrow initiative, crafted over several years by our distinguished former colleague, Congressman Bill Young. Mr. Speaker, umbilical cord blood stem cells obtained after the birth of a child have proven to be highly efficacious in treating over 75 diseases, including lymphoma, leukemia, sickle cell disease, and other metabolic and immune deficiencies. I thank Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg of Duke University, an internationally renowned expert in pediatric hematology, oncology, and umbilical cord blood banking and transplantation. Dr. Kurtzberg helped draft our original law 26 years ago. It took 5 long years to enact it into law. It was blocked at many turns, but she was right there from the beginning and continues to be an extraordinary pioneer in the field. Earlier today, I called Dr. Kurtzberg--we do talk a lot--and she said cord blood has been used as a donor for transplant, enabling over 50,000 patients with cancer, blood disease, and other genetic conditions to have a life-saving treatment. Cord blood is also used as starting material for manufacturing immune effector cells, like CAR T cells, and others to treat patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases. She said there is exciting research now using cord blood to treat children with cerebral palsy, birth asphyxia, and autism. Mr. Speaker, the National Cord Blood Inventory--created by the original law and continued in this reauthorization--provides funding to public cord blood banks participating in the program to allow them to expand the national inventory of cord blood units that are available for transplant. These units are then listed on the registry by the National Marrow Donor Program. The 

Referenced legislation: HR5160, HR5160