WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) joined Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-01) and Speaker Emeritus Kevin McCarthy (CA-20) to introduce the Finding Orphan-disease Remedies with Antifungal Research and Development (FORWARD) Act. This legislation supports various research and development programs with the goal of developing new drugs, treatments, and vaccines to combat Valley Fever.

“Valley Fever has a huge impact on our neighbors and communities in the Central Valley , and we must prioritize the development of new treatments and vaccines to combat the spread of this disease and save lives,” said Congressman Valadao. “The FORWARD Act is an important step towards finding a cure for Valley Fever, and I’m proud to support it. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Valley Fever Taskforce to move this critical legislation forward.”

“I’m pleased to reintroduce the FORWARD Act this Congress as our Valley Fever Task Force makes significant progress in improving care, treatment, and research into this terrible disease that has devastated so many lives in our communities,” said Congressman Schweikert. “As we’ve seen Valley Fever cases rise across the western United States over the last decade, it’s critical that we continue to prioritize the delivery of medical breakthroughs that will help treat our family members and their beloved pets. This bipartisan legislation helps to combat Valley Fever by providing resources to further close the scientific gap in understanding this disease, support research, and accelerate vaccine development that will hopefully eradicate it once and for all.”

Background

Congressman Valadao is a member of the Valley Fever Task Force alongside Congressman Schweikert and Speaker Emeritus McCarthy. The bipartisan Task Force, which was founded in 2013, is committed to raising awareness and advancing policies to combat Valley Fever. Congressman Valadao has been a member since its founding.

Earlier this year, Congressman Valadao participated in a Valley Fever Roundtable hosted by the Task Force to discuss ongoing treatment and vaccine developments. The roundtable included medical experts, researchers, and advocates focused on combatting Valley Fever.

The FORWARD Act:

• Establishes a working group at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to advise on strategies that confront gaps in science that can help detect, treat, and eradicate Valley fever.
• Encourages the development of Valley fever vaccines, cures, and treatments by directing the FDA to include Valley fever in its priority review voucher program.
• Provides additional resources to support research efforts and add antifungal development to the existing CARB-X program.