Press Release

Representatives Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA) and María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) today introduced the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2022 to strengthen U.S. efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) worldwide.

The bipartisan legislation directs the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to align U.S. tuberculosis control efforts with goals established by the international community. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted years of progress in the fight against TB, with 1.5 million people dying of tuberculosis in 2020. The End TB Now Act will prioritize U.S. tuberculosis response to target the diagnosis and treatment of adults and children with TB and to prevent new TB infections in countries with high burdens of TB.

“Despite being a preventable and curable disease, tuberculosis is the second leading infectious disease killer of adults worldwide behind COVID-19” said Representative Ami Bera, M.D. “As a doctor and Co-Chair of the House Tuberculosis Elimination Caucus, I am proud to introduce the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2022 to strengthen our ability to fight TB globally. We must redouble our efforts with our international partners if we are to end tuberculosis in the 21^st century.”

“Tuberculosis is one of the world’s most deadly diseases and continues to devastate millions every year. We can end it. I’m proud to co-lead the End Tuberculosis Now Act and ensure U.S. priorities are in sync with our partners in this fight, stopping the needless suffering that is holding people back from a safer, healthier, and more prosperous life,” said Representative María Elvira Salazar.

“I’m grateful for the leadership of Representatives Ami Bera (D-CA) and María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) for introducing this bill, which will help reach those most affected by TB and those left behind by health systems continuing to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Everyone deserves high-quality care. TB is preventable and treatable, and this legislation will help global health programs around the world ensure that people are given quality care when and where they need it,” said Elisha Dunn-Georgiou, President & CEO, Global Health Council

As we continue to rally against the newest pandemic, we can’t afford to ignore the longstanding ones. TB is a centuries old pandemic that killed 1.5 million people last year; we have the ability to end this curable disease with the help of new tools in the pipeline, but we still need the resources and political attention to match.” said Joanne Carter, Executive Director of RESULTS. “RESULTS is grateful for the leadership of Representatives Ami Bera (D -CA) and María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) for introducing the End Tuberculosis Now Act to help reach the millions of people with TB that health systems are leaving behind. As we’ve seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, investments to fight TB build the world’s capacity to respond to any new airborne pathogens. We urge Congress to swiftly pass this bill and to greatly increase funding to fight TB everywhere in their end of year spending bill.”

“As people personally affected by tuberculosis, We Are TB would like to share our most heartfelt gratitude for the leadership of Representatives Ami Bera (D -CA) and María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) on the introduction of the End TB Now Act. The loss and hardship families and communities like ours face from a curable illness is a true injustice, and we are so pleased to see our leaders take action. The End TB Now Act is a wonderful piece of legislation that will ensure that TB programs around the world are given the tools they need to give everyone facing tuberculosis the care they deserve,” said Kate O’Brien, We Are TB, Tuberculosis Roundtable Co-chair

"As activists working to end the TB pandemic, Treatment Action Group (TAG) applauds the reintroduction of the End Tuberculosis Now Act and thanks Rep. Ami Bera and Rep. María Elvira Salazar for their sponsorship of this vital legislation. The End TB Now Act will help to increase TB testing and treatment through US bilateral global health programs, and will strengthen TB R&D coordination across agencies to bring crucial new tools to those who need them. We must reach more people with TB by making the best preventive, diagnostic, and treatment technologies available and accessible to all - and the End TB Now Act is a critically important bill in making that goal a reality. We call on all members of Congress to cosponsor and pass this legislation immediately,” said Lizzy Lovinger, U.S. and Global Health Policy Director, Treatment Action Group

Click here for a full copy of the legislation.

Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Todd Young (R-IN) introduced companion legislation the U.S. Senate.

Representative Bera serves as co-chair of the House Tuberculosis Elimination Caucus. He previously introduced the bipartisan Comprehensive TB Elimination Act of 2021 to empower public health officials with the necessary tools to combat and eliminate TB in the United States.