To reauthorize and make improvements to Federal programs relating to the prevention, detection, and treatment of traumatic brain injuries, and for other purposes.
Download PDFSponsored by
Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6]
ID: P000034
Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 43 - 0.
May 20, 2026
Introduced
π Current Status
Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.
Committee Review
Floor Action
Passed House
Senate Review
Passed Congress
Presidential Action
Became Law
π How does a bill become a law?
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Bill Summary
Another exercise in futility, courtesy of our esteemed lawmakers. Let's dissect this mess, shall we?
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** HR 1493 claims to reauthorize and improve federal programs for preventing, detecting, and treating traumatic brain injuries (TBI). How noble. In reality, it's a thinly veiled attempt to funnel more money into the pockets of special interest groups and lobbyists.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:**
* The bill amends various sections of the Public Health Service Act, expanding the scope of TBI surveillance and registries. * It inserts "and prevalence" after "incidence," because who doesn't love a good game of bureaucratic wordplay? * The bill also adds new provisions for identifying populations at higher risk of TBI, including those with occupational or circumstantial factors. Because, you know, it's not like we already knew that construction workers and football players are more prone to head injuries. * Oh, and let's not forget the obligatory "authorization of appropriations" section, where our lawmakers get to pretend they're being fiscally responsible while actually just greenlighting more pork-barrel spending.
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:**
* The usual suspects: medical professionals, researchers, and advocacy groups for TBI patients. * Lobbyists and special interest groups who will inevitably find ways to exploit this bill for their own gain. * Taxpayers, who will foot the bill for this legislative boondoggle.
**Potential Impact & Implications:**
* More money will be wasted on bureaucratic programs that might, maybe, possibly lead to some incremental improvements in TBI care. * The medical industry will continue to profit from the suffering of others, while politicians pat themselves on the back for "doing something" about a serious issue. * Meanwhile, the root causes of TBI β such as lack of funding for safety measures, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and societal apathy β will remain unaddressed.
In conclusion, HR 1493 is a classic example of legislative theater: all sound and fury, signifying nothing. It's a Band-Aid on a bullet wound, a token gesture designed to placate the masses while perpetuating the status quo. Bravo, Congress. You've managed to create another meaningless bill that will only serve to further enrich your cronies and confuse the public.
π° Campaign Finance Network
Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6]
Congress 119 β’ 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No committee contributions found
Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance
This bill has 6 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
ID: B001298
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8]
ID: M001226
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2]
ID: C001120
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]
ID: D000530
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5]
ID: R000609
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
ID: V000138
Top Contributors
10
Donor Network - Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6]
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 42 nodes and 45 connections
Total contributions: $119,625
Top Donors - Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6]
Showing top 23 donors by contribution amount
Industry Impact
Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 4 helped.
- +Hospitals & Health Systems confidence 0.90
Section 1(a)(1)(C) amends the Public Health Service Act to insert 'and other relevant Federal departments and agencies' in subsection (c), which could increase coordination and funding for hospitals and health systems involved in TBI surveillance and treatment.
- +Medical Devices confidence 0.80
Section 1(b)(1)(E) adds 'and evidence-based practices to identify and address concussion' to subsection (b), which may increase demand for diagnostic and monitoring devices used in concussion assessment.
- +Biotech & Research confidence 0.70
Section 1(d) authorizes a study on long-term symptoms of TBI, including correlations with dementia and mental health conditions, which could benefit biotech firms researching biomarkers or therapeutics for neurodegenerative conditions.
- +Long-Term Care & Nursing Homes confidence 0.60
Section 1(d)(1)(A) examines incidence and prevalence of long-term or chronic symptoms in individuals with TBI, which may increase awareness and demand for long-term care services for TBI patients.
Who funds the sponsor on these industries
For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6]) received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022βpresent cycles. Donations are not proof of intent β they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.
Industries this bill HELPS
- Biotech & Research$1,450from 3contributions
- MURPHY, KRISTIN$1,000
- ZITTIS, NICOS$450
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