U.S. Senate passes ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act

The U.S. Senate has passed the ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026, extending programs established under the original Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS legislation through fiscal year 2031. The bill, which passed Congress with one day remaining before the original program's scheduled expiration on September 30, now moves to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

The reauthorization effort was bolstered by a campaign led by Tanea Brooks, a former AEW personality known as Rebel, who was diagnosed with ALS earlier this year. Brooks acted as an ambassador for the patient-led advocacy group I AM ALS, urging supporters to sign a petition to prevent delays in funding. I AM ALS reported submitting more than 20,000 signatures to Congress to demand the reauthorization.

The legislation is intended to secure continued access to investigational therapies and funding for ALS research and treatment. The Senate passed the House version of the bill (H.R. 8205) on Monday, September 28, reconciling the two versions of the legislation.