110th Congress

Breast Cancer Research Stamp Reauthorization Act

P.L. 110-150 (S. 597)

Impact of Public Law

P.L. 110-150 reauthorizes the Breast Cancer Research stamp through December 31, 2011, and requires an annual report to Congress describing how the funds generated by the stamp are used.

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 U.S. Department of Defense breast cancer research. The enacted legislation also included a Sense of the Senate resolution aimed at ensuring that the program would not cause a net decrease in appropriations for any agency. P.L. 105-41 was designed as a 2 year pilot program; however, it has been continually reauthorized, most recently through P.L. 109-100, which reauthorized the program through December 31, 2007.

As of fiscal year 2007, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has received a total of $38.2 million since the breast cancer stamp was first issued in 1998. Thus far, four major programs have been funded: the Insight Awards to Stamp Out Breast Cancer, the Clinical Trial to Determine Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence, the Breast Cancer Pre Malignancy Program, and the Exceptional Opportunities in Breast Cancer Research Program. More information on these programs can be found on NCI’s Web site, at http://obf.cancer.gov/contribute/cr-stamp.htm.

Legislative History

S. 597 was introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) on February 14, 2007, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. On August 1, the bill was ordered to be reported out without amendment. On November 7, the bill was reported out (S. Rept. 110-222) and placed on the Legislative Calendar under General Orders. On November 14, the bill was amended to reauthorize the stamp through December 31, 2011, (it originally reauthorized it through 2009) and was passed by the Senate by unanimous consent. On December 11, the House passed the bill by a voice vote, after adding a reporting requirement, and on December 13, the Senate agreed to the House amendments by unanimous consent. On December 21, the bill was signed into law by the President as P.L. 110-150.

H.R. 1064 was introduced by Representative Joe Baca (D-CA) on February 15, 2007, and was jointly referred to the House Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, on Energy and Commerce, and on Armed Services. No further action has occurred on this legislation.

H.R. 1236 was introduced by Representative Wm. Lacy Clay (D-MO) on February 28, 2007, and was jointly referred to the House Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, on Energy and Commerce, and on Armed Services. On September 18, the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia amended the bill to extend the stamp through December 31, 2011, added the reporting requirement, and forwarded the bill to the full Committee by a voice vote. On September 20, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform ordered the bill to be reported out as amended by unanimous consent. On October 10, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health amended the bill and forwarded it to the full Committee by a voice vote. On October 16, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered the bill to be reported out as amended by a voice vote. The bill was reported out of the Committee (H. Rept. 110-409) on October 25. On October 30, the House passed H.R. 1236 by a voice vote. No further action has occurred on this legislation.

January 24, 2008