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S.Res. 894Senate119th Congress (2025-2027)Passed Congress

A resolution designating September 25, 2026, as "National Ataxia Awareness Day", and raising awareness of ataxia, ataxia research, and the search for a cure.

Sponsored by Cindy Hyde-SmithSen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
Introduced September 23, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated September 29, 2026 at 5:22 AM UTC

S.Res. 894 designates September 25, 2026, as National Ataxia Awareness Day. The resolution aims to increase public and professional awareness of ataxia—a group of rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorders—while encouraging better diagnosis, care, and research toward treatments and a cure. It affects people in the United States who have ataxia, their families, health‑care providers, and state and local governments.

Key Provisions

  • Recognizes the need for greater public awareness of ataxia.
  • Officially designates September 25, 2026, as National Ataxia Awareness Day.
  • Supports three goals: (A) raise awareness of ataxia’s causes and symptoms, (B) improve diagnosis and access to care, and (C) accelerate research for treatments and a cure.
  • Acknowledges the challenges faced by individuals with ataxia and their families.
  • Encourages states, territories, and localities to support the objectives of National Ataxia Awareness Day.

Legislative Activity

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SenateFloor Latest Action

Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4958; text: CR S4950-4951)

September 23, 2026

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S.Res. 894 on the floor

1 Republican
Cynthia M. Lummis
Sen. Cynthia M. LummisR-WY · Sep 23, 2026

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following resolutions which are at the desk: S. Res. 888, S. Res. 892, S. Res. 893, S. Res. 894,…

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Bill Text

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Agreed to SenateIssued September 23, 2026

III

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. RES. 894

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 23, 2026

Mrs. Hyde-Smith (for herself, Mr. Murphy, and Mrs. Capito) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

Designating September 25, 2026, as National Ataxia Awareness Day, and raising awareness of ataxia, ataxia research, and the search for a cure.

Whereas ataxia is a clinical manifestation indicating degeneration or dysfunction of the brain that negatively affects the coordination, precision, and accurate timing of physical movements;

Whereas ataxia can strike individuals of all ages, including children;

Whereas the term ataxia is used to classify a group of rare, inherited neurodegenerative diseases including—

(1)

ataxia telangiectasia;

(2)

episodic ataxia;

(3)

Friedreich’s ataxia; and

(4)

spinocerebellar ataxia;

Whereas there are many known types of genetic ataxia, but the genetic basis for ataxia in some patients is still unknown;

Whereas all inherited ataxias affect fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States, and therefore, are recognized as rare diseases under the Orphan Drug Act (Public Law 97–414; 96 Stat. 2049);

Whereas some genetic ataxias are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, while others are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner;

Whereas ataxia symptoms can also be caused by noninherited health conditions and other factors, including stroke, tumor, cerebral palsy, head trauma, multiple sclerosis, alcohol addiction or misuse, and certain medications;

Whereas ataxia can present physical, psychological, and financial challenges for patients and their families;

Whereas symptoms and outcomes of ataxia progress at different rates and can include—

(1)

lack of coordination;

(2)

slurred speech;

(3)

cardiomyopathy;

(4)

scoliosis;

(5)

eye movement abnormalities;

(6)

difficulty walking;

(7)

tremors;

(8)

trouble eating and swallowing;

(9)

difficulties with other activities that require fine motor skills; and

(10)

death;

Whereas many patients with ataxia require the use of assistive devices, such as wheelchairs and walkers, to aid in their mobility, and many individuals with ataxia may need physical and occupational therapy;

Whereas few treatments and no cures have been approved for ataxia; and

Whereas clinical research to develop safe and effective treatments for ataxia is ongoing: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate—

(1)

recognizes the need for greater public awareness of ataxia;

(2)

designates September 25, 2026, as National Ataxia Awareness Day;

(3)

supports the goals of National Ataxia Awareness Day, which are to—

(A)

raise awareness of the causes and symptoms of ataxia among the general public and health care professionals;

(B)

improve diagnosis of ataxia and access to care for patients affected by ataxia; and

(C)

accelerate ataxia research, including research on safe and effective treatment options and, ultimately, a cure;

(4)

recognizes the individuals in the United States who face challenges due to having ataxia, and the families of those individuals; and

(5)

encourages States, territories, and localities to support the goals of National Ataxia Awareness Day.