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SRES 636

A resolution designating February 29, 2024, as "Rare Disease Day".

118th Congress Introduced by John Barrasso and 9 co-sponsors

Designates February 29, 2024 as Rare Disease Day and signals Senate support for awareness, early diagnosis, and research to improve diagnostics, treatments, and cures.

Introduced in Senate
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Bill Summary · SRES 636

Summary of SRES 636 — A Resolution Designating February 29, 2024 as "Rare Disease Day"

Purpose and Intent

  • SRES 636 is a Senate resolution whose primary purpose is symbolic recognition. It designates February 29, 2024, as Rare Disease Day in the United States.
  • The resolution also acknowledges the importance of efforts related to rare diseases and disorders, specifically:
    • improving awareness of rare diseases,
    • encouraging accurate and early diagnosis,
    • supporting national and global research to develop effective treatments, diagnostics, and cures.

Key Provisions

  • Designation: February 29, 2024 is designated as Rare Disease Day.
  • Recognition: Emphasizes the importance of awareness, early and accurate diagnosis, and support for research to advance treatments, diagnostics, and cures for rare diseases.

Note: As a resolution, the bill does not authorize new funding or create new programs. It serves as an expression of the Senate’s stance and support for related goals.

Who/What Is Affected

  • The designation primarily affects awareness and advocacy efforts by health professionals, researchers, patient groups, and policymakers.
  • It signalizes Senate support for ongoing and future efforts to improve diagnosis, treatment development, and global collaboration on rare diseases.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced: April 10, 2024.
  • Status: Introduced in the Senate; subsequent action shows unanimous-consent passage in the Senate on April 10, 2024.
  • Legislative action notation: Considered and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent (CR S2703; text CR S2712).
  • Nature of action: Passed in the Senate as a nonbinding resolution; no committee report or floor amendments noted in the provided record.

Sponsors and Related Legislation

  • Primary sponsor: Sherrod Brown.
  • Notable co-sponsors: Amy Klobuchar, Roger Marshall, Rick Scott, Tim Scott, Richard Blumenthal, John Barrasso, Roger Wicker, Mike Braun, Sheldon Whitehouse.
  • Related/Companion Bills:
    • SRES 84 (companion)
    • HRES 1036 (companion)
    • HRES 181 (companion)
  • Presence of companion bills suggests parallel actions or consideration in the House.

Impact and Significance

  • The resolution reinforces support for rare disease awareness and related research initiatives.
  • It can influence policy discussions, amplify advocacy efforts, and complement ongoing national and global activities focused on rare diseases.
  • As a nonbinding measure, it does not authorize funding or require policy changes, but it can shape priorities and signal bipartisan recognition of the importance of rare disease issues.

Quick Take

SRES 636 is a bipartisan Senate resolution designating Rare Disease Day on February 29, 2024, and underscoring the Senate’s support for awareness, early diagnosis, and research to improve diagnostics, treatments, and cures for rare diseases. It passed in the Senate by unanimous consent and has several House and Senate companion measures.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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