Lee Leads Bipartisan Effort to Properly Fund Pediatric Cancer Research
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to introduce the Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act of 2025, landmark legislation ensuring that federal cancer research dollars dedicated to pediatric cancer are aligned with the percentage of Americans under 18.
“No parent or child should have to face the pain of pediatric cancer. Unfortunately, underinvestment in research and treatment has meant that Nevada kids often must wait or travel several hours for treatment or potentially lifesaving clinical trials,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan legislation with Rep. Fitzpatrick to ensure that federal funding is properly allocated to match our children’s health needs. Our children deserve access to the best care possible, no matter where they live.
The bill corrects long-standing inequities in how federal cancer research funds are distributed, ensuring children receive the fair, proportional investment they deserve.
Although nearly one-fifth of the U.S. population is under 18, pediatric cancers receive only around 4% of federal cancer research funding. Childhood cancer remains the #1 disease-related cause of death for American children, yet treatments for many pediatric cancers still rely on therapies developed decades ago for adults. As a result, children and families face fewer clinical trials, fewer targeted therapies, and slower innovation.
Key Provisions of the Bill
Fair Share Funding Requirement: Beginning in FY2026, federal pediatric cancer research funding must match the percentage of Americans under age 18—establishing, for the first time, a proportional, equitable baseline for childhood cancer research.
Data-Driven Allocation: Annual funding levels will be set using official Census population data, ensuring an objective, transparent, and consistently updated method for determining pediatric research investment.
Sustained National Investment: Guarantees long-term, predictable federal funding for pediatric cancer research—particularly for the many childhood cancers that still lack modern, targeted, and child-specific treatments.
“This bill is rooted in a simple principle: fairness. Pediatric cancer has been chronically underfunded for decades, leaving families with fewer options and slower innovation,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. “The Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act rights a fundamental imbalance, accelerates discovery, and ensures we invest in cures designed for the courageous children who do not choose this battle but fight it with a strength few adults could ever imagine.”
“Approximately 16,000 children are diagnosed with cancer in the United States each year. This legislation invests more in the discovery of treatments and cures that work for these courageous children,” said Congressman Mike Kelly. “The Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act is a giant step toward that goal because it focuses more money on childhood cancer research. We can, and should, do more, which is why I am a proud champion of this bill.”
“Cancer is an awful disease that’s devastating so many American children and families — unnecessarily cutting precious lives short. We must keep taking every possible step toward finding cures. That’s why I’m proud to co-lead the bipartisan Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act, to help ensure that federal investments are equally distributed to pediatric cancer research,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer. “There are children behind every statistic. Pediatric cancer touches far too many families, including my own. With the Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act, we will help develop cutting-edge treatments, find cures, and, most importantly, save lives.”
“Cancer can be so devastating at any age, and it can be especially difficult for kids diagnosed with it and their families," said Congressman Dwight Evans. "I’m proud to cosponsor this bill from my Pennsylvania colleague that would help ensure an equitable amount of federal funding for pediatric cancer research.”
The full text of the bill is available here.