Equal Representation Act

Senate Bill

S. 2205

119th Congress

Equal Representation Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jun 29, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Martin Heinrich

Senator

Democratic

NM

Cosponsors

3

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Health

Summary

This bill aims to remove pancreatic islets donated from human cadavers from the regulatory oversight of the FDA. Instead, it would treat these islets as organs, which would place them under the regulatory framework managed by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. This change could make it easier for people to receive experimental islet transplants to treat conditions like type 1 diabetes.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

SponsorMartin Heinrich (D-NM)

Introduced6/29/2025

StatusRead twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

ChamberSenate

Data from Congress.gov

See this page through your district lens

Enter ZIP to personalize representatives and vote context.

Stay on top of this issue

Subscribe for weekly bill and representative updates.

Vote Prediction

Equal Representation Act

This bill aims to remove pancreatic islets donated from human cadavers from the regulatory oversight of the FDA. Instead, it would treat these islets as organs, which would place them under the regulatory framework managed by the Organ Procurement and Transpla

Community Breakdown

Pass

0%

Fail

0%

0 predictions

This bill aims to remove pancreatic islets donated from human cadavers from the regulatory oversight of the FDA. Instead, it would treat these islets as organs, which would place them under the regulatory framework managed by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. This change could make it easier for people to receive experimental islet transplants to treat conditions like type 1 diabetes.

Bill Number: 2205
Sponsor: Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
Introduced: 6/29/2025
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Policy Area: Health

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Equal Representation Act
Bill Number: 2205
Sponsor: Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Introduced: 6/29/2025
Summary: This bill aims to remove pancreatic islets donated from human cadavers from the regulatory oversight of the FDA. Instead, it would treat these islets as organs, which would place them under the regulatory framework managed by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. This change could make

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill aims to remove pancreatic islets donated from human cadavers from the regulatory oversight of the FDA. Instead, it would treat these islets as organs, which would place them under the regulatory framework managed by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. This change could make it easier for people to receive experimental islet transplants to treat conditions like type 1 diabetes.

Last updated: 12/30/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Increase Support for Life-saving Endocrine Transplantation Act or the ISLET ActThis bill removes pancreatic islets that are donated from human cadavers from regulation as a drug or biological product by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (Islets are groups of cells, including those that make insulin, in the pancreas, and islet transplantation is an experimental treatment for certain conditions, such as type 1 diabetes.)Current FDA guidance treats pancreatic islets as a biological product, which makes them subject to the biological license application process and related standards for manufacturing practices, safety, identity, purity, and potency.The bill, instead, treats human cadaveric islets as organs, which makes them subject to the regulatory framework that governs the allocation, safety, and efficacy of organ donation and transplantation. That framework, developed by the Health Resources and Services Administration, is carried out by contract through the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. (The network is a public-private partnership that links the professionals involved in the U.S. donation and transplantation system.)Specifically, the bill defines human cadaveric islets as organs and excludes them from definitions related to the regulation of drugs and biological products.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Removes pancreatic islets donated from human cadavers from FDA regulation as a drug or biological product
Defines human cadaveric islets as organs, placing them under the regulatory framework for organ donation and transplantation
This change could streamline the process for people to receive experimental islet transplants to treat conditions like type 1 diabetes

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

If this bill becomes law, it would primarily impact individuals with conditions like type 1 diabetes who could potentially benefit from experimental islet transplant treatments. By reducing regulatory barriers, the bill could make these life-saving transplants more accessible and available to patients in need.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Health

Related Subjects

Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Congressional oversight

Department of Health and Human Services

Digestive and metabolic diseases

Organ and tissue donation and transplantation

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

2205, 119th Congress (2025). "Equal Representation Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-2205

Public Opinions

Community submissions related to this bill.

Share your opinion

No public opinions yet. Be the first to submit one for this bill.

Related Bills in Health

HR 3021

Empowering Patient Choice of Medical Care Act

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means

HR 2111

To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to exempt the premium cigar industry from certain regulations.

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

HR 2884

Anti-Racism in Public Health Act of 2025

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

S 1406

SOAR Act of 2025

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.