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Washington, DC – Today, in a show of bipartisan unity and recognition of the urgency to take action for greater research of treatments and cures for Parkinson’s and atypical Parkinson’s diseases, Democrats and Republicans came together and shared messages of support on the House floor for the “Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act.”

Representative Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), who was diagnosed this past summer with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a form of atypical Parkinson’s, shared an emotional plea for the bipartisan bill in a floor speech delivered by her friend and Virginia colleague, Representative Jennifer McClellan (D-VA). Wexton shared the challenges she has faced with PSP, from inhibited mobility to impaired speech to the impacts on her family.

You can watch Rep. Wexton’s remarks, delivered by Rep. McClellan, here.

The sponsors of the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Paul Tonko (D-NY), also shared remarks on the House floor, mentioning Wexton’s advocacy and the power of her sharing her personal story.

The full House floor debate on the legislation can be viewed here.

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