Introductory Statement on S. 4109

Introductory Statement on S. 4109

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 48 (Tuesday, March 17, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 17, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S1093] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Ms. Smith, and Mr. Lankford): S. 4109. A bill to reauthorize the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Mr. REED. Mr. President, today, I am pleased to introduce the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2026 with Senators Tim Scott, Tina Smith, and James Lankford. Our bipartisan bill will reauthorize the C.W. Bill Young National Marrow Donor Program and the National Cord Blood Inventory, which help individuals diagnosed with leukemia and lymphomas, sickle cell anemia, and rare genetic blood disorders find suitable bone marrow or umbilical cord blood donors. More than 18,000 individuals are diagnosed with diseases like blood cancer and sickle cell disease each year and hope for a blood stem cell or bone marrow transplant to help treat or even cure their disease. Since the 1980s, the public registries created under these programs have been a lifeline for the more than 75 percent of Americans who do not have a matched donor in their families. By strengthening and enhancing the important programs operating these registries, many more Americans will be afforded the opportunity to find a match if they are ever in need. I look forward to swift consideration of this legislation in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and working toward passage in the full Senate. ______

Referenced legislation: S4109