After passing Senate, EARLY Act on way to President

Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) was pleased that a five-year reauthorization of the EARLY Act, which guarantees breast health education for young women, was unanimously passed by the U.S. Senate on Monday.

“I am so proud to have joined my colleague, Rep. (Debbie) Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), in passing the reauthorization of the EARLY Act,” Ellmers said. “This legislation has touched a countless number of lives and will give hope to women everywhere who are still courageously fighting their battle against breast cancer.”

The legislation, also known as the Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act, was originally introduced by Wasserman Schultz and Ellmers in the House, and Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and David Vitter (R-La.) in the Senate.

“It is important that we do everything we can to aid women during their fight and provide them with the information and resources they need to overcome this disease,” Ellmers said. “The EARLY Act does exactly this by supporting critical research and educating women and doctors alike on the risks associated with this disease.”

In addition to breast health education, the EARLY Act provides young women with the prevention and maintenance tools necessary for the betterment of their health.

“Reauthorizing the EARLY Act means the important work the (U.S. Centers for Disease Control) has done educating young women about the breast cancer risks they face will continue,” Wasserman Schultz said. “We will continue supporting state-led initiatives helping identify high-risk women, collecting family histories and educating doctors.”

Now cleared by Congress, the policy is just a presidential signature away from remaining in effect for five additional years.