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H.R. 5247: Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2018

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H.R. 5247: Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2018

115th Congress · introduced 2018-03-13 · Health · Latest: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 367.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2018-03-13 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-8] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 3 recorded votes in our records. Latest: House roll call 120 (2018): On Motion to Recommit with Instructions, HR5247 (2018-03-21), Failed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 367. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2018

Plain summary

Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2018 This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to exempt, from specified requirements and restrictions under that Act and other laws, the provision of certain unapproved, investigational drugs to a terminally ill patient who has exhausted approved treatment options and is unable to participate in a clinical trial involving the drugs. The manufacturer or sponsor of an eligible investigational drug must publish annual summaries on any use of the drug in accordance with these provisions. The bill limits the liability of a sponsor, manufacturer, licensed physician, clinical investigator, or hospital that provides, or declines to provide, an eligible investigational drug to an eligible patient in accordance with the bill.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2018

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-8] · 44 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Andy Biggs (R-AZ), H. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Andy Barr (R-KY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Neal P. Dunn (R-FL), J. French Hill (R-AR), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Paul A. Gosar (R-AZ), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Randy K. Weber, Sr. (R-TX), Rick W. Allen (R-GA), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Dan Newhouse (R-WA)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-8] reported raising $8.0 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (2)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Exemption
A rule that removes certain people, property or activities from a tax or requirement.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong115-hr5247 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115