WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) today launched the first Senate ALS Caucus to better advocate for ALS patients and families and find a cure for this devastating disease.

“I’m inspired by the courage and grace of those suffering with ALS and their families and grateful for their engagement and advocacy to bring attention to this cruel disease,” said Senator Coons. “Congress can and should do more to help them. That’s why I’ve joined Senator Braun in forming the first Senate ALS Caucus. Make no mistake, members of this caucus will be active, focused, and determined to bring attention to ALS, support individuals with ALS and their families, and fund research that seeks to uncover new treatments and ultimately a cure.”

“There are things we can do right now to help the thousands fighting for their lives every day against ALS,” said Senator Braun. “I’m proud to join Senator Chris Coons to create a Senate ALS Caucus to do everything we can to provide faster access to meaningful treatments and give hope to those struggling with this terrible 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.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (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.