The House considered H.R. 3491, the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act of 2025, which gives permanent legal authority to an existing National Institutes of Health program that researches Down syndrome and related health conditions, with reports to Congress every two years. Members moved to pass the bill under suspension of the rules. Supporters from both parties, including Representatives Guthrie, DeGette, Tonko, and Evans, said the bill continues research begun in 2018 that could improve lives of people with Down syndrome and shed light on conditions like Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and cancer. Evans also said federal spending on Down syndrome research has been insufficient. No opposing arguments were recorded in the sampled statements.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .
“I want the House to pass this bill. It supports government research and training on Down syndrome.”
“Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3491) to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a program of research, training, and investigation related to Down syndrome, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:”
Official Congressional Record
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3491) to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a program of research, training, and investigation related to Down syndrome, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:
“I want the House to pass this bill. It supports research into Down syndrome to help people with the condition live better, healthier lives.”
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3491, led by my colleagues Representatives DeGette and Hudson. This bill would authorize the INCLUDE Project at the National Institutes of Health, which advances research into Down syndrome to improve the health and quality of life of individuals with Down syndrome and their families. This project investigates conditions that affect people with Down syndrome, as well as the general public, with a hope of improving our understanding of the condition and advancing the quality-of-life outcomes for individuals with Down syndrome and patients facing similar medical issues. I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.”
Official Congressional Record
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3491, led by my colleagues Representatives DeGette and Hudson. This bill would authorize the INCLUDE Project at the National Institutes of Health, which advances research into Down syndrome to improve the health and quality of life of individuals with Down syndrome and their families. This project investigates conditions that affect people with Down syndrome, as well as the general public, with a hope of improving our understanding of the condition and advancing the quality-of-life outcomes for individuals with Down syndrome and patients facing similar medical issues. I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
“I want the House to pass this bill. It protects and continues federal research on Down syndrome. This work will help people with Down syndrome and also help us better understand diseases like Alzheimer's, heart disease, and cancer.”
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, my bill with Representative Hudson, the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act, codifies the renaissance in Down syndrome research at NIH that was kicked off when the INCLUDE Project began in 2018. This bill sustains and encourages this critical research. After being left behind by NIH for nearly 20 years, the Down syndrome community is finally seeing research advancements that will extend and improve their lives. What we learn from this research will not only help us better understand Down syndrome but also heart disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and many co-occurring conditions. I am so proud that much of this work is happening right in my home district of Denver, Colorado. The Crnic Institute for Down syndrome on the Anschutz Medical Campus leads more than 200 scientists at the largest Down syndrome research facility in the world. They see incredible breakthroughs every day. This type of innovation puts science first and benefits not only individuals living with Down syndrome and their families but every single one of us because we are learning more and more about disease biology and just why some conditions work differently in people with Down syndrome. It is why the bill passed the House last Congress with unanimous support. I am so happy that I was able to work for many years with my friend, the former chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, on this bill in the last Congress. I know it is a labor of love and deeply personal for her family and every family that has been touched by Down syndrome. It has been an honor to also work with my constituent, Michelle Sie Whitten, the president of the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award, a driving force for this bill, and a fierce advocate for her daughter and everyone with Down syndrome. It has also been an honor to work with my friend and colleague Representative Hudson, whose dedication to the Down syndrome community has been essential to push this bill closer to the finish line. I simply could not have had a better partner on this issue. The INCLUDE Project Act will ensure that critical Down syndrome research continues to advance. This year, it must finally be enacted into law. I urge my colleagues to join Representative Hudson and me to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.”
Official Congressional Record
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, my bill with Representative Hudson, the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act, codifies the renaissance in Down syndrome research at NIH that was kicked off when the INCLUDE Project began in 2018. This bill sustains and encourages this critical research. After being left behind by NIH for nearly 20 years, the Down syndrome community is finally seeing research advancements that will extend and improve their lives. What we learn from this research will not only help us better understand Down syndrome but also heart disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and many co-occurring conditions. I am so proud that much of this work is happening right in my home district of Denver, Colorado. The Crnic Institute for Down syndrome on the Anschutz Medical Campus leads more than 200 scientists at the largest Down syndrome research facility in the world. They see incredible breakthroughs every day. This type of innovation puts science first and benefits not only individuals living with Down syndrome and their families but every single one of us because we are learning more and more about disease biology and just why some conditions work differently in people with Down syndrome. It is why the bill passed the House last Congress with unanimous support. I am so happy that I was able to work for many years with my friend, the former chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, on this bill in the last Congress. I know it is a labor of love and deeply personal for her family and every family that has been touched by Down syndrome. It has been an honor to also work with my constituent, Michelle Sie Whitten, the president of the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award, a driving force for this bill, and a fierce advocate for her daughter and everyone with Down syndrome. It has also been an honor to work with my friend and colleague Representative Hudson, whose dedication to the Down syndrome community has been essential to push this bill closer to the finish line. I simply could not have had a better partner on this issue. The INCLUDE Project Act will ensure that critical Down syndrome research continues to advance. This year, it must finally be enacted into law. I urge my colleagues to join Representative Hudson and me to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
“I support this bill. It keeps funding research on Down syndrome and related health issues to improve the lives of people with the condition.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Colorado for yielding. I rise in strong support of the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act and applaud my colleagues, Representative Diana DeGette and Richard Hudson, for championing this critical piece of legislation. The DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act will help ensure the NIH INCLUDE Project continues advancing research that improves health outcomes, expands scientific understanding, and enhances quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. This legislation builds upon one of our Nation’s most successful investments in Down syndrome research. Already, these investments have led to major breakthroughs in how Down syndrome interacts with other health conditions that have a high incidence in the community, such as immune system disorders, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and more. Every one of these breakthroughs carries the hope for a brighter tomorrow for individuals living with Down syndrome. I would also like to recognize that this progress doesn’t happen without sustained advocacy. In particular, I would like to highlight the role of the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award and its founder, Michelle Sie Whitten, for their tireless advocacy to make this happen today. I again thank our co-leads, Representatives DeGette and Hudson, for their outstanding leadership. I look forward to supporting this measure on the House floor.”
Official Congressional Record
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Colorado for yielding. I rise in strong support of the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act and applaud my colleagues, Representative Diana DeGette and Richard Hudson, for championing this critical piece of legislation. The DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act will help ensure the NIH INCLUDE Project continues advancing research that improves health outcomes, expands scientific understanding, and enhances quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. This legislation builds upon one of our Nation’s most successful investments in Down syndrome research. Already, these investments have led to major breakthroughs in how Down syndrome interacts with other health conditions that have a high incidence in the community, such as immune system disorders, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and more. Every one of these breakthroughs carries the hope for a brighter tomorrow for individuals living with Down syndrome. I would also like to recognize that this progress doesn’t happen without sustained advocacy. In particular, I would like to highlight the role of the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award and its founder, Michelle Sie Whitten, for their tireless advocacy to make this happen today. I again thank our co-leads, Representatives DeGette and Hudson, for their outstanding leadership. I look forward to supporting this measure on the House floor.
“I want the House to pass this bill. It formally protects a government research project on Down syndrome and the health problems that come with it. The government has not spent enough money on Down syndrome, and these citizens deserve our support.”
“Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Deondra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act of 2025. I was incredibly proud to support this bill as it made it’s way through the legislative process in the Energy and Commerce Committee, and I am looking forward to it passing with bipartisan support on the House floor. This legislation provides statutory authority to a project that the NIH has already been carrying out for nearly a decade to investigate the co-occuring conditions that impact Americans with Down Syndrome and their quality-of-life needs. For far too long, federal investment into Down Syndrome has paced behind need. Individuals with Down Syndrome are among our most precious vulnerable citizens--they deserve this nation’s support. I also want to recognize the efforts of a fellow Coloradan who was instrumental in advancing this bill: Michelle Sie Whitten. As President and CEO of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, Michelle has been a titan of advocacy in the Down Syndrome world. As the mother of a child with Down Syndrome, she has harnessed her love for the folks in this community and channeled it into action--raising millions of dollars for research and serving as a voice for those with Down Syndrome. It is safe to say that we would not be here voting on this bill if not for her tireless work and effort. I want to personally thank Michelle for her leadership and once again reiterate my support for this bill.”
Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Deondra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act of 2025. I was incredibly proud to support this bill as it made it’s way through the legislative process in the Energy and Commerce Committee, and I am looking forward to it passing with bipartisan support on the House floor. This legislation provides statutory authority to a project that the NIH has already been carrying out for nearly a decade to investigate the co-occuring conditions that impact Americans with Down Syndrome and their quality-of-life needs. For far too long, federal investment into Down Syndrome has paced behind need. Individuals with Down Syndrome are among our most precious vulnerable citizens--they deserve this nation’s support. I also want to recognize the efforts of a fellow Coloradan who was instrumental in advancing this bill: Michelle Sie Whitten. As President and CEO of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, Michelle has been a titan of advocacy in the Down Syndrome world. As the mother of a child with Down Syndrome, she has harnessed her love for the folks in this community and channeled it into action--raising millions of dollars for research and serving as a voice for those with Down Syndrome. It is safe to say that we would not be here voting on this bill if not for her tireless work and effort. I want to personally thank Michelle for her leadership and once again reiterate my support for this bill.
