Health Policy and FDA

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I‑Vt., single‑handedly blocked unanimous‑consent passage of the bipartisan Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act on the Senate floor last week, insisting on an amendment to add long‑term funding for community health centers. The bill, which enjoyed near‑unanimous support and would have strengthened incentives for FDA and drugmakers to conduct pediatric studies and invest in rare pediatric cancer drugs, was derailed for the second consecutive year and must now restart the legislative process as children’s cancer advocates look on. Republicans including sponsor Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R‑Okla., sharply criticized Sanders’ move, while Sanders said he supports the underlying bill but wants Congress to honor a prior bipartisan deal on community health centers he says was 'torpedoed' in 2024.