McCaul Speaks on House Floor in Support of His Childhood Cancer Bill, the Give Kids a Chance Act

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) - co-chair and founder of the Childhood Cancer Caucus - spoke on the House floor in support of the passage of his bill, the Give Kids a Chance Act. The legislation - which passed the House shortly after Rep. McCaul's remarks - will authorize the FDA to direct drug companies researching combination drug therapies for adults to also research combination therapies for children.

Remarks as delivered

As the founder of the Childhood Cancer Caucus, 15 years ago, I've met with countless cancer patients and advocates who have asked me for one thing: to give the kids a chance.

A chance to receive better and safer treatments that preserve their quality of life.

A chance to beat childhood cancer.

And a chance to eradicate this disease once and for all.

The Give Kids a Chance Act does just that.

The bill is simple. It directs drug companies researching adult combination drug therapies for adults to also research them for children, where appropriate.

This will allow us to treat children the same as we treat adults.

With 235 cosponsors, this legislation is one of the most bipartisan bills in Congress.

Because there's nothing partisan or political about a child with cancer.

I would like to thank Mr. Bilirakis from Florida and Mrs. Ana Eshoo from California, my partner for this, and Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, the chair, and Mr. Frank Pallone, the ranking member, for all their help in making this come together.

Included in this legislation is another one of my bills, the Creating Hope Reauthorization Act.

We first passed this legislation in 2012 to create the Pediatric Priority Review Voucher Program within the FDA because we found there was no market incentive for pharmaceutical companies to develop cancer treatments for children.

This program provides incentives.

Since its inception in 2012, 53 vouchers have been awarded for treatments of 39 different rare pediatric diseases - 36 of which previously had no FDA-approved treatments. These diseases typically lead to death before a child can reach adulthood.

But not anymore.

A dear friend of mine - Dr. Allison from MD Anderson in my home state of Texas - was able to use the voucher program to obtain FDA approval for a treatment called CAR-T immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy is a breakthrough cancer treatment not just for children but, for all adults.

He received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for it. This bill will reauthorize that successful program for another five years.

I founded the Childhood Cancer Caucus 15 years ago with the primary goal of giving children a voice in Congress.

We just had our [15th annual summit], and these children, I have to say to the ranking member… who I hope is listening, how much joy this gave to their lives.

These children who have either survived cancer or are going through cancer, some can make it, some may not, but this gives them hope.

I founded the caucus to give them a voice in Congress because they didn't have one. They didn't have high-powered lobbyists, but they have us.

This is the result of their voices.

We wouldn't be standing here today considering this legislation without the help of patient advocates including my dear childhood cancer friends Sadie Keller, Sophie Ryan, Brianna Commerford, Ailani Meyers, and so many other brave children who have joined me in advocating tirelessly on this important issue.

By the way, Mr. Speaker, these kids are tougher than any adults I have seen, and I know, they are my biggest inspiration in life.

I am proud that my colleagues have come together in a bipartisan spirit to do what is right for our children, which will influence them for decades to come.

With that, I yield back.

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