Bipartisan legislation now heads to the President’s desk ahead of the September 30 expiration
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, ALS Network celebrates the final congressional passage of the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies (ACT) for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026 (H.R. 8205). Following passage by the U.S. House of Representatives, the Senate approved the legislation, sending it to the President’s desk for signature.
The bipartisan reauthorization effort was led by Representatives Mike Quigley and Ken Calvert in the House and Senators Lisa Murkowski and Chris Coons in the Senate. Once signed into law, it will extend key ACT for ALS programs through 2031, sustaining progress in ALS research, shared research infrastructure, and expanded access to investigational therapies.
ALS Network extends special gratitude to the advocates in our community, including people living with ALS, their families, and caregivers across the country. Their sustained engagement, personal stories, meetings, emails, phone calls, and heroic efforts kept the urgency of reauthorization before policymakers and helped build the bipartisan support needed for final passage.
ALS Network was deeply engaged throughout the reauthorization process, working directly with congressional leaders and national partners to help shape and advance the legislation. The organization provided policy recommendations, brought advocates to Capitol Hill, mobilized the ALS community, and participated in congressional briefings and public events supporting reauthorization. Sheri Strahl, MPH, MBA, president and CEO of ALS Network, also joined congressional champions at a Capitol Hill press conference to underscore the need for timely reauthorization.
“Final congressional passage is a major win for people living with ALS and their families, and a testament to what sustained, collective advocacy can accomplish,” said Strahl. “ALS Network has been deeply engaged throughout this process, working directly with congressional leaders, shaping policy recommendations, bringing the lived experience of people with ALS to Capitol Hill, and mobilizing advocates across the country. We are proud of the role we played alongside partners throughout the ALS community, and are deeply grateful to Representatives Calvert and Quigley, Senators Murkowski and Coons, and every advocate whose persistence helped carry this legislation across the finish line.”
ACT for ALS established a patient-centered approach to accelerate progress on two urgent fronts: advancing research and expanding access to investigational therapies for people who are unable to participate in traditional clinical trials. These programs are especially important for a rapidly progressive disease in which time is limited and effective treatment options remain few.
Final passage comes just before the current authorization is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2026. Reauthorization will help prevent disruption to programs that support evidence-generating expanded access, natural history and biomarker research, shared data resources, and coordination across the ALS research community. The law also supports work benefiting people with other rare neurodegenerative diseases.
ALS Network looks forward to the President signing the reauthorization into law so this critical work can continue without interruption.
About the ALS Network
The ALS Network partners with the ALS community to drive the discovery of prevention strategies, treatments, and cures for ALS; provide access to quality care and connection; and promote initiatives to improve health outcomes. The ALS Network, formerly ALS Golden West, serves people with ALS and their families throughout California, Hawaii, and beyond. For more information about ALS and the ALS Network visit our website at alsnetwork.org or email us at info@alsnetwork.org. You can also find us on social media at @yourALSnetwork.
Media Contact:
ebeikman@alsnetwork.org
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SOURCE ALS Network
