Alan Armstrong (R-OK)
Dennis John Benigno Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Held at the desk.
Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate voice vote
- Awaiting House
The Senate by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This bill is titled the Dennis John Benigno Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2026. It reauthorizes and updates federal programs related to traumatic brain injury surveillance, registries, and state grant programs through the year 2031. The legislation requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to make aggregated information on traumatic brain injuries publicly available on its website. Additionally, it directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit reports to Congress regarding high-risk populations and long-term symptoms. Finally, the bill mandates a study on the long-term or chronic symptoms and conditions experienced by individuals who have suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Yes· 3 of 17
- Scored +5
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill reauthorizes and expands protection, advocacy services, and grant programs dedicated to individuals with traumatic brain injuries.
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into medical research?
The bill reauthorizes funding for traumatic brain injury surveillance, registries, and related research activities through 2031.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The legislation requires public reports to Congress and online access to aggregated data regarding traumatic brain injury high-risk populations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Public Information Sharing: Under Section 2(b), the bill requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to make aggregated information on traumatic brain injuries and concussions publicly available on the agency's website, including information and prevention strategies tailored to higher-risk populations. This helps everyday people access vital safety and health information.
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Expanded Tribal Support: Under Section 3(a), the legislation amends state grant programs for traumatic brain injury projects by inserting "Tribal" considerations into outreach programs. This provision ensures that American Indian populations and communities are explicitly factored into local outreach efforts.
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Targeted Focus on High-Risk Groups: Section 4 requires a report to Congress within two years on populations at higher risk for traumatic brain injury, such as individuals affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and public safety officers. This transparency holds officials accountable for addressing previously overlooked data gaps for vulnerable groups.
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Research on Long-Term Health Effects: Under Section 5, the Secretary is required to conduct a study examining the incidence and prevalence of chronic symptoms, correlations with conditions like dementia and mental health issues, and available services for individuals with long-term traumatic brain injuries. This provision pushes for a clearer understanding of lifelong health impacts on survivors.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
Based on the provided text, there are no specific sections or provisions identified that create negative consequences, new burdens, or adverse outcomes for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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 people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill reauthorizes and expands protection, advocacy services, and grant programs dedicated to individuals with traumatic brain injuries. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill explicitly integrates American Indian consortia and Tribal considerations into traumatic brain injury grant programs and outreach. Would women be better off under this? — The legislation requires reporting and data collection on populations at higher risk, including individuals affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. Would children be better off under this? — The bill improves concussion identification and prevention strategies that benefit children and student athletes. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — The bill supports long-term studies on chronic conditions like dementia associated with traumatic brain injuries. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The legislation examines correlations between traumatic brain injuries and long-term conditions such as dementia. Would students be better off under this? — The legislation emphasizes evidence-based practices to identify and address concussions in schools and educational settings. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill's focus on traumatic brain injury surveillance and long-term symptom research aids veterans who may suffer from head injuries. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The legislation enhances surveillance and outreach for high-risk populations prone to traumatic brain injuries.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill reauthorizes funding for traumatic brain injury surveillance, registries, and related research activities through 2031. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The legislation reauthorizes and expands traumatic brain injury grant programs and surveillance to improve health outcomes and data access. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill directs studies and surveillance on traumatic brain injuries that explicitly include related mental health conditions.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The legislation authorizes studies on the long-term chronic symptoms and conditions related to traumatic brain injuries. Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill mandates that aggregated information on traumatic brain injuries be made publicly available on government websites.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The legislation requires public reports to Congress and online access to aggregated data regarding traumatic brain injury high-risk populations.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill improves understanding and support for high-risk populations, including public safety officers and individuals facing occupational risks.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill explicitly incorporates Tribal considerations into state grant programs and outreach for traumatic brain injuries.
The version one chamber actually passed
What changed from Considered and Passed Senate: No change to the wording. Only the printed details that record the bill’s progress, such as the heading and dates, are different.
- 10/5/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 9/29/2026
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S5185-5186; text: CR S5185-5186)
- Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S5185-5186; text: CR S5185-5186)
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
John CornynRepublican · Texas
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey