Rep. Leonard Lance (R-N.J.) will continue to serve as the Republican Chair of the Congressional Rare Disease Caucus during the 114th Congress, which begins in January.
The caucus builds support for legislation that helps constituents with rare diseases.
“I have a great interest in the work of the Rare Disease Caucus,” Lance said on Wednesday. “I am impressed and humbled continually by the tireless advocates and their commitment to those suffering from challenging diseases – many without any treatments or cures. Our job in the Rare Disease Caucus is to help them meet with our nation’s leaders, question the decision makers in both the public and private sector, and connect with the best minds in innovation. I look forward to building on our success in the new Congress.”
The caucus particularly focuses on working to help streamline drug development to treat rare diseases. Most rare diseases do not have Food and Drug Administration-regulated treatment options.
Lance plans to keep championing two primary causes: the Energy and Commerce Committee’s 21st Century Cures Initiative and the MODDERN Cures Act. The first effort works to support better medical research to keep the United States at the global center of biomedical innovation. MODDERN works to update the nation’s drug evaluation process to encourage the discovery and development of new treatments for chronic and rare diseases.
“The Rare Disease Caucus works toward results that will make a positive difference in the lives of many,” Lance said. “We will continue to work to achieve goals that are bipartisan, realistic and effective to give hope to the many who are counting on our efforts.”