OKC Standard

U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) released a statement following the passage of his bill, the Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act, from the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee with strong bipartisan support. Co-led by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), the bill will now advance to the Senate floor for a full vote.

The legislation reauthorizes three grant programs under the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Act through 2029. These include TBI State Partnership Grants to enhance access to rehabilitation and community services for individuals with TBI, TBI State Protection and Advocacy Systems Grants to provide advocacy services for people with TBIs, and the CDC’s TBI Program which funds research on preventing TBI and data collection on its prevalence.

Senator Mullin shared his personal connection to the issue: “In 2020, my family’s life changed in an instant when our son Jim, who was 15 at the time, suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury while wrestling,” said Sen. Mullin. “While we are on the other side of recovery thanks to the experts at the Center for Neuro Skills in Bakersfield, California, and the grace of God, not all patients who suffer TBIs are so lucky."

"This reauthorization will ensure that millions of Americans who suffer traumatic brain injuries and those suffering from long-term disabilities because of the injury have the support and resources necessary to navigate recovery," he added.

Mullin also expressed gratitude towards his colleagues: "Thank you to my co-lead Senator Casey and other HELP Committee colleagues for recognizing the important need to reauthorize these important grant programs and passing this bill out of committee. Now I urge Leader Schumer to bring it to the Senate floor,” concluded Sen. Mullin.