WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives this week overwhelmingly approved legislation to extend federal funding for Lyme disease research and prevention, advancing one of the nation’s most significant public health initiatives for tick-borne illnesses to the Senate.
The measure, H.R. 4348, known as the Kay Hagan Tick Act Reauthorization, was sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and would authorize $150 million over five years for Lyme disease and other tick-borne disease programs administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The House approval marks another step in an effort that has drawn bipartisan backing as Lyme disease continues to spread across the United States, particularly in the Northeast, where cases remain among the highest in the country.
For patients, researchers and public health officials, the bill represents an effort to strengthen early detection, improve research, and better coordinate responses before outbreaks worsen.
If enacted, the legislation would continue funding for the CDC’s regional Centers of Excellence, which study vector-borne illnesses, train public health specialists, improve surveillance, and develop strategies to prevent and identify tick-borne diseases.
The proposal also would provide additional support to states facing elevated risks of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses, allowing them to work more closely with federal agencies to identify outbreaks faster and improve public health responses.
New Jersey remains one of the states most affected. According to figures cited by Rep. Smith from the New Jersey Department of Health, the state recorded 6,098 vector-borne disease cases in 2025, including 5,211 confirmed Lyme disease cases.
The legislation arrives as health officials continue to warn that warmer temperatures, expanding tick habitats, and increased outdoor activity have contributed to a growing number of infections across much of the country.
Rep. Smith said he intends to continue working to move the legislation through the Senate and ultimately to the president’s desk.
The Senate will now determine whether the bipartisan House momentum carries through to final passage, a decision closely watched by patients, physicians, researchers and advocacy organizations seeking expanded federal support for Lyme disease research and prevention.
JBizNews Desk | Washington
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