Rep. Quigley. U.S. House bill seeks to extend ALS therapy access and boost clinical trial oversight

The new bill authored by U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley in the U.S. House aims to extend ALS therapy initiatives and strengthen oversight of related clinical trials, according to the U.S. Congress.

H.R.8205 was introduced on April 6, 2026 during the 2026 regular session of the 119th Congress. The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act to extend its provisions through 2031. It enhances the research grants process by requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to review the status of clinical trials for investigational drugs and to request interim data from manufacturers. Additionally, the bill clarifies definitions of clinical trials and mandates the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to publish a comprehensive report on action plans for ALS and other rare neurodegenerative diseases within one year of enactment. This includes updates on policy initiatives and the effectiveness of the previous action plan on therapy development. A report from the Government Accountability Office is also required within four years to provide further analysis on the Act’s impact.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Mike Quigley (Democrat-IL-5th District) and co-sponsored by Rep. Ken Calvert (Republican-IL-41st District).

Since the beginning of the current session, Rep. Quigley has introduced another seven bills.

Congressional bills can originate in either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate, except for revenue-related measures, which must begin in the House. After introduction, bills are assigned to committees for review, hearings, amendments and debate before they can advance to a vote in each chamber. If both chambers approve identical versions, the legislation is sent to the president, who may sign it into law or veto it. Congress operates in two-year terms, with each term numbered sequentially and divided into two annual sessions. The legislative process and official bill records are maintained by the U.S. Congress and published through Congress.gov.

Mike Quigley is a Representative from Illinois who has served in the U.S. Congress since 2009, initially elected by special election to fill a vacancy. He was a member of the Cook County board of commissioners from 1998 to 2009.

Quigley holds a Bachelor of Arts from Roosevelt University, a Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago, and a Juris Doctor from Loyola University School of Law.