Markwayne Mullin (R-OK)
Dennis John Benigno Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Star Print ordered on the bill.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the Dennis John Benigno Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2025, reauthorizes federal traumatic brain injury programs through the year 2030. It updates surveillance and registry programs managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to better track populations at higher risk for injuries, including occupational factors. The legislation also modifies state grant programs to include Tribal entities and American Indian consortia while establishing new maintenance of effort rules and waiver options. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit a report to Congress regarding high-risk populations within two years. Finally, it mandates a comprehensive study and public report on the long-term chronic symptoms and conditions related to traumatic brain injuries.
Yes· 3 of 17
- Scored +6
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The legislation reauthorizes and expands federal traumatic brain injury programs, surveillance, and state-level support grants through 2030.
- Scored +6
Does this put more money into medical research?
The bill reauthorizes federal appropriations for traumatic brain injury programs and mandates comprehensive reporting and long-term symptom studies.
- Scored +5
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill explicitly expands state grant programs to include Tribal entities and American Indian consortia.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 2 updates the national surveillance program to collect better data on populations at higher risk for traumatic brain injuries, including those whose risk is due to occupational or circumstantial factors, which can lead to better targeted prevention strategies and public information made available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
-
Section 3 expands state grant programs for traumatic brain injury projects to include Tribal and American Indian consortium outreach programs, ensuring these specific communities receive consideration and support.
-
Section 3 allows the Secretary to waive up to 50 percent of the matching fund amount for States or American Indian consortia if the match would otherwise prevent them from carrying out the grant's purposes, helping struggling regions maintain vital programs.
-
Section 5 mandates a study and public report examining the long-term or chronic symptoms of traumatic brain injury, correlations with conditions like dementia and mental health issues, and available services, which could ultimately improve understanding and care for affected individuals.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 3 adds a maintenance of effort requirement, meaning States and American Indian consortia must agree to keep their own non-Federal spending on these activities at or above the level of the preceding fiscal year to qualify for a grant, potentially placing a strict financial burden on local budgets.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill explicitly expands state grant programs to include Tribal entities and American Indian consortia. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The reauthorization directly enhances programs, surveillance, and protection services for individuals with traumatic brain injuries. Would children be better off under this? — The legislation supports concussion tracking and evidence-based practices that benefit youth involved in sports and daily activities. Would retired people be better off under this? — Studies focusing on long-term chronic symptoms and dementia correlations benefit aging populations. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Inclusion of Tribal and minority consortium outreach expands healthcare and grant resources to underserved rural areas. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill examines long-term chronic symptoms and correlations between traumatic brain injuries and conditions like dementia. Would union members be better off under this? — Expanded occupational surveillance targets risk factors connected to workers' specific job environments. Would women be better off under this? — The legislation highlights high-risk populations such as individuals affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Grant matching waivers assist struggling regions and Tribal entities in maintaining vital support programs. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Occupational surveillance features help identify and protect workers from workplace-related brain injury risks. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Tracking occupational and circumstantial risk factors helps protect younger workers entering the workforce.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The legislation reauthorizes and expands federal traumatic brain injury programs, surveillance, and state-level support grants through 2030. Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill reauthorizes federal appropriations for traumatic brain injury programs and mandates comprehensive reporting and long-term symptom studies. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill mandates studies and surveillance addressing long-term mental health and neurological conditions resulting from traumatic brain injuries.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill mandates federal studies and surveillance updates regarding traumatic brain injury epidemiology and long-term chronic symptoms.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill improves tracking, outreach, and protection services for individuals with acquired brain injuries and associated disabilities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires public reports and aggregated website information regarding high-risk populations and long-term brain injury conditions.
- 8/7/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/8/2025
- Star Print ordered on the bill.
- 9/18/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HR-1493: To reauthorize and make improvements to Federal programs relating to the prevention, detection, and treatment of traumatic brain injuries, and for other purposes.
- 119-S-891: Bipartisan Health Care Act
- 119-S-5600: Dennis John Benigno Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2026
John CornynRepublican · Texas
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Jon OssoffDemocrat · Georgia
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California