Congress Passes McCaul Pediatric Cancer Bill

EXTRA: Homeland Security Hearing on Radicalization & Terrorism

By Cong. Michael McCaul

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Last week Congress gave final passage to legislation I introduced called The Creating Hope Act. It is now on its way to the president to sign into law. Every now and then we get the opportunity to really make a difference in the lives of others.  This legislation will incentivize pharmaceutical companies to develop new drugs for children with rare pediatric diseases such as childhood cancers and sickle cell and I believe it will revolutionize the way drug companies approach such treatments.  The Act now exists as Section 908 of S.3187 which reauthorizes various Food and Drug Administration (FDA) programs. We do a lot of things in Washington that dont mean a whole lot. The Creating Hope Act has the ability to actually save lives and hand down a better America to our children. In times of tough budgetary constraints this legislation incentivizes pharmaceutical companies to finally start creating new cures for rare pediatric diseases with no cost to taxpayers. Press Release: Creating Hope Act Goes to President for Approval Statesman: McCaul bill aimed at finding drugs for rare childhood diseases sent to Obama U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY: Homeland Security Hearing on Radicalization & Terrorism      We have to look at the obvious says McCaul Transportation Funding Student Loans Flood Insurance The House passed a comprehensive transportation bill Friday giving states more flexibility to use highway dollars as they choose by freeing them from several federal mandates.  The bill also cuts red tape by cutting in half the amount of time it takes to conduct environmental reviews of transportaiton projects.  This legislation also prevented the doubling of student loan interest rates to 6.8 instead of the current 3.4.  In addition the bill reauthorized the National Flood Insurance Program through 2017. HUD Cuts Last week the House also passed the Transportation Housing and Urban Development bill that cuts funding by $3.9 billion or 7 from last years spending levels.  The budget is also $1.8 billion less than requested by President Obama for FY 2013. Congressman Michael McCaul represents Texas 10th Congression District and chairs the Homeland Security Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee.