WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tuesday the House of Representatives unanimously passed Congressman Roger Marshall’s bill, H.R. 4675, the Low Dose Radiation Research Act of 2017. This was a very special moment for Dr. Marshall as it was his first stand-alone bill to pass through the House.  

“Today is a great day for our medical industry,” Marshall said. “I am so proud of the support this bill has received. Radiation therapy has saved thousands of cancer patients’ lives.”

As medical technology and techniques continue to advance it is critical that we learn more about the effects of low-dose radiation, he said. “I look forward to the Senate also supporting this bill that will help our doctors better treat their patients.”  

Everyone will be exposed to low doses of radiation in their lifetime, which is why we need to better understand the effects of chronic radiation exposure, Marshall said. 

“Rep. Marshall’s Low Dose Radiation Research Act ensures that we develop a comprehensive understanding of any health effects of low dose radiation,” said Lamar Smith, chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, where the bill was first introduced. “This bill enables us to use the best research possible to inform important decisions in our nation’s energy, medical and defense fields. Dr. Marshall has a personal interest in this subject, as it is critical for physicians to know and understand the health effects associated with low dose radiation exposure. I thank him for his initiative on this important issue.”  

H.R. 4675 would authorize the appropriation of funds for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science to conduct basic research on low-dose radiation. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that implementing the bill would cost $96 million over the 2018-2022 period, assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts.