WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. Terri Sewell (D-AL-07), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Jason Crow (D-CO-06) and Ken Calvert (R-CA-42) launched the ALS Caucus to bring together members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to share experiences, exchange ideas, and work collaboratively to find a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The caucus was formed with the help of I AM ALS and many ALS advocacy groups, including The ALS Association and others.  

“The launch of the ALS Caucus is welcome news in the fight against such a debilitating disease,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “There are approximately 5,000 new ALS diagnoses per year in the United States, each one bringing a new set of challenges and difficulties to American families. They need our support on the federal level to support enhanced research and treatment options, and I am proud to lead the ALS Caucus with Representatives Calvert, Crow, and Sewell to be their voice in Congress.”

“ALS is a disease that brings immense challenges and heartbreak to many families,” said Rep. Calvert. “The new ALS Caucus is being launched to find policy solutions to help afflicted families and bring more resources to the table to find a cure. I am eager to work with my House colleagues and all ALS-stakeholders as we embark on this important mission.”

“ALS is a disease that knows no stranger. In my own family, we lost our dear cousin Jeff to the disease and studies show veterans of the Gulf War are twice as likely to develop ALS. It is clear that more research needs to be done to fully understand this vicious disease and find a cure,” said Rep. Crow. “With 15 Americans diagnosed with ALS every day, my colleagues and I are ready to find a path forward and provide a renewed focus to funding scientific research. We owe this to every member of our community who should not have to face any disease without hope for a cure.”

“Every 90 minutes, someone in the United States is diagnosed with ALS and another person passes away from it,” said Rep. Sewell. “As co-chair of the new ALS Caucus, I am committed to ensuring patients and families have the resources they need to access adequate care and, eventually, a cure for this debilitating disease.”

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the body’s motor neurons causing decreased mobility and eventually leads to death. The ALS Caucus will raise awareness about the challenges faced by ALS patients and their families, think creatively about policy solutions to reduce the negative impacts of ALS, and invest in groundbreaking research to end ALS.