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H.R. 5551: Improving the Health of Children Act

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H.R. 5551: Improving the Health of Children Act

117th Congress · introduced 2021-10-12 · Health · Latest: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2021-10-12 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 418 (2021): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, HR5551 (2021-12-08), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. 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

Improving the Health of Children Act

Plain summary

Improving the Health of Children Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 programs and activities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for researching and preventing birth defects, developmental disabilities, and other conditions. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. The center carries out activities to advance the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, including infants with birth defects, children with developmental disabilities, and individuals of all ages with disabilities or blood disorders.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed 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

Improving the Health of Children Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House)

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The strongest published arguments

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] · 5 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Lori Trahan (D-MA), Richard Hudson (R-NC), Jason Crow (D-CO)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] reported raising $7.3 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (1)
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).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong117-hr5551 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117