109th Congress

Breast Cancer Research Stamp Reauthorization Act

P.L. 109-100 (S. 37, H.R. 312)

Impact of Public Law

The Breast Cancer Research stamp was first authorized by P.L. 105-41, the Stamp Out Breast Cancer Act, enacted on August 13, 1997. The legislation, originally sponsored by Representative Susan Molinari (R-NY), authorized the United States Postal Service to establish a voluntary special alternative rate of postage that can cost up to 25 percent more than a regular first-class stamp. Seventy percent of the profits from the sale of the stamp goes to the National Institutes of Health to fund breast cancer research, and 30 percent supports Department of Defense breast cancer research. The enacted legislation also included a Sense of the Senate resolution aimed at ensuring that the program will not cause a net decrease in appropriations for any agency. P.L. 105-41 was originally designed as a 2-year pilot program; however, it has been continually reauthorized, most recently through P.L. 108-199, the Fiscal Year 2005 Consolidated Appropriations bill.

As of fiscal year (FY) 2005, the National Cancer Institute has received a total of $30,764,211, since the breast cancer stamp was first issued in 1998, which it has used to fund research projects directed toward breast cancer research. Thus far, two major programs have been funded: the Insight Awards to Stamp Out Breast Cancer and the Breast Cancer Research Stamp Exception Program. In FY 2004, 10 awards totaling $3.5 million were funded through provisions from the breast cancer stamp, and in FY 2005, 7 awards totaling $4.4 million were funded.

P.L. 109-100 reauthorizes the breast cancer stamp through 2007. (It is currently authorized through December 31, 2005.)

Legislative History

S. 37 was introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) on January 24, 2005, and was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. On June 22, the bill was ordered to be reported out without amendment. On September 26, the bill was reported out by the Committee without amendment (S. Rept. 109-140). On September 27, the bill was passed by the Senate by Unanimous Consent. On September 28, the bill was received in the House and jointly referred to the House Committees on Government Reform, on Energy and Commerce, and on Armed Services. On October 20, the bill was ordered to be reported out by the House Committee on Government Reform by Unanimous Consent. On October 27, the bill was discharged from all three committees. It subsequently passed the House by Unanimous Consent and was presented to the President. The bill was signed on November 11 as P.L. 109-100.

H.R. 312 was introduced by Representative Joe Baca (D-CA) on January 25, 2005, and was jointly referred to the House Committees on Government Reform, on Energy and Commerce, and on Armed Services.