Congressman Pete King

Cancer Research

Funding

In my years representing New York’s third congressional district, I have been a steadfast advocate for increased federal funding for cancer research programs.

I was a cosponsor of the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, which advances medical research and treatments into pediatric cancers, ensures patients and families have access to information regarding pediatric cancers and current treatments for such cancers, established a national childhood cancer registry, and promotes public awareness of pediatric cancer.

The Department of Defense (DoD) conducts many innovative cancer research programs. Last year, I supported such DoD programs as:

• Peer-Reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program
• Peer-Reviewed Prostate Cancer Research Program
• Peer-Reviewed Ovarian Cancer Research Program
• Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program for Kidney Cancer research

I also supported the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Program. This program was originally authorized in the Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act or Johanna’s Law, a bill that I cosponsored.

Sponsored Legislation

This Congress, I have reintroduced the Taxpayers Cancer Research Funding Act (H.R. 3466). This bill would add a new checkoff box on the income tax return to allow for a $5 contribution to a special breast and prostate cancer research fund. The trust fund would be used to make qualified research grants for the purpose of conducting research with respect to breast or prostate cancer. This would allow taxpayers to increase the funding of the National Cancer Institute, which will in turn enable the NCI to increase their research grants to the medical community.

Cosponsored Legislation

Pediatric Research Consortia Establishment Act (H.R. 1080): I am the Lead Republican on this legislation which would establish a national pediatric research consortia in order to standardize collection and sharing of data related to the diagnosis and treatment of pediatrics.

PROSTATE Act (H.R. 2159): This bill would improve access to effective and cost efficient diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer through advances in testing, research, and education

Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act (H.R. 3067): This legislation would provide for the establishment of a Commission to Accelerate the End of Breast Cancer to identify initiatives and coordinate activities to permanently eradicate this disease.

Preserving Access to Life-Saving Medications Act (H.R. 2245): This bill would provide the Food and Drug Administration with improved capacity to prevent drug shortages, which have been becoming more frequent. It is an important step in curbing this alarming trend.