Congressman Cleaver Submits Amendment to Provide $5 Million for Alpha-gal Syndrome Research

(Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced that he, along with Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), has submitted an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 (NDAA) to provide $5 million in federal funding for alpha-gal syndrome research. Alpha-gal syndrome is a life-threatening allergy triggered by tick bites that impacts approximately 500,000 Americans across the United States, including tens of thousands of Missourians.

"Due to the lack of research and monitoring systems, it is difficult to know for certain the exact number of Americans living with alpha-gal syndrome-but we know the number is rising and its impact is devastating to thousands of Missourians across our state," said Congressman Cleaver. "As the alpha-gal syndrome community continues to grow, Congress owes it to these Americans to invest in life-saving research that will help discover new treatments and improve the lives of those dealing with the condition. I'm proud to lead the effort to provide dedicated federal funding for alpha-gal syndrome research, and I'm hopeful my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will support it."

"Alpha-gal syndrome is a life-altering, tick-acquired allergy that changes the foods you can safely eat and the medications and medical procedures that are safe for you. For service members, a diagnosis can be disqualifying and career-ending, making it a direct threat to military readiness. More than half of all service members are stationed within the range of the lone star tick, which causes most cases of the disease, and studies show they are developing it in the course of their duties," said Sharon Forsyth, Executive Director of Alpha-gal Alliance Action Fund. "Despite this burden, research into treatment and prevention has received only limited federal support. Representative Cleaver's amendment addresses this need directly, directing $5,000,000 to alpha-gal syndrome research within the Combat and Operational Medicine Program without increasing overall spending. The Alpha-gal Alliance Action Fund commends Representative Cleaver for his leadership and urges Congress to support this amendment."

Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a serious, potentially life-threatening allergy and tickborne disease delivered primarily by the Lone Star Tick. When the tick bites, it can transfer alpha-gal into a person's blood, triggering an allergic reaction. Symptoms, which can range from mild to life-threatening, often occur when individuals eat red meat or are exposed to other products made from mammals. There is no known cure for alpha-gal syndrome.

Official text of Rep. Cleaver's amendment is available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.