WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined bipartisan efforts to push for improved research, treatments and a cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), as a  founding member of the Senate ALS Caucus. 

“I’m pleased to join my colleagues in support of efforts and actions to find a cure for ALS,” Boozman said. “It is my hope that our work will lead to advancements that bring hope to patients and families who have been affected by this disease.”

The bipartisan Senate ALS Caucus will bring together Senators from both sides of the aisle who share a commitment to working collaboratively to advocate on behalf of ALS patients and their families. The mission of the Senate ALS Caucus is to: 

• Raise awareness about the difficulties faced by ALS patients and their families;
• Advance policies that improve the quality of life for ALS patients;
• Expand the network of support for those suffering from ALS; and,
• Advocate for investments in research that will enhance our understanding of the causes of ALS, identify effective treatments and eventually discover a cure.

ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that destroys the body’s ability to control muscle movement. There is no effective treatment for the disease, no known cause and currently no cure. 

The caucus was launched by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Mike Braun (R-IN).  

“I’m excited to join Senator Braun in announcing 12 new members of the Senate ALS Caucus. It’s clear that there is a strong bipartisan, bicameral commitment among members to do all we can to help find a cure for ALS,” said Coons. “Even in the face of such a debilitating disease, ALS patients and their families are inspiring us to take action. I look forward to working with my colleagues to rise to this challenge. We can and should do more to help.”

“I’m thrilled to join Senator Coons to announce 12 new bipartisan members of the first ever Senate ALS Caucus,” said Braun. “There are real solutions that Congress can enact right now to help those fighting ALS get access to meaningful treatments and I look forward to working with these new members to make those solutions reality for these patients and their families.”

In addition to Boozman, founding members include Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Kennedy (R-LA), Doug Jones (D-AL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Martha McSally (R-AZ).