H.R. 5160: Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2025
Sponsor
Christopher Smith
Republican · NJ-4
Stem cell matches need a stronger federal backup
Why it matters
$33.009 million a year would keep the federal stem cell transplant program running through 2031, while changing how cord blood is stored and managed. Instead of chasing a fixed 150,000-unit target, HHS would be told to keep a supply it says is actually useful for patients.
H.R. 5160 would extend the main federal stem cell transplant program through 2031 and raise its authorization from $31.009 million to $33.009 million a year.
That money supports the national infrastructure used to connect patients with bone marrow, cord blood, and other transplant options. Over five years, the increase adds up to about $10 million above the current baseline.
The bigger policy shift is in cord blood. Instead of requiring at least 150,000 new cord blood units, the bill says HHS should maintain a “sufficient supply” based on current scientific and clinical information.
That gives the department more discretion to decide how large the national inventory should be, which units should stay in storage, and which should be collected, retained, or removed. The bill also says HHS must manage the inventory to maximize clinical usefulness, preserve genetic diversity, and use resources efficiently.
H.R. 5160 also creates a cleanup mechanism for failing cord blood banks. If a bank is no longer operating or cannot meet federal requirements, HHS could move its stored units to another qualified bank so those units remain available for patients.
The bill also updates what counts as a high-quality cord blood unit by tying the definition to current industry standards and FDA requirements. And it extends the cord blood program's authorization window from 2027 through 2031.
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Jul 21, 2026
Passed the House, received in Senate
H.R. 5160 Bill Summary
What H.R. 5160 actually does.
Federal transplant support continues through 2031
H.R. 5160 extends the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program for five more years and raises its annual authorization to $33.009 million for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Cord blood inventory stops chasing a fixed number
The bill replaces the old 150,000-unit benchmark with a requirement for a sufficient supply of high-quality cord blood units, as determined by HHS.
HHS gets more control over what stays in storage
The department could decide whether units remain stored, and could prioritize collection, retention, or disposition based on scientific, clinical, or operational considerations.
More emphasis on usable and diverse matches
HHS would be directed to manage the national inventory for clinical utility, genetic diversity, and efficient use of resources.
Stored units can be moved if a bank fails
If a cord blood bank becomes non-operational or cannot meet required standards, HHS could transfer its units to another qualified bank or approved entity.
Quality standards follow current FDA rules
A high-quality cord blood unit would be defined as one that meets current industry standards and any FDA requirements.
Who benefits from H.R. 5160?
Patients searching for a transplant match
If you need a stem cell transplant, this bill keeps the federal matching and support system funded through 2031 and aims to keep more clinically useful cord blood units available.
Patients from underrepresented genetic backgrounds
The bill tells HHS to protect genetic diversity in the national cord blood inventory, which matters when matching is harder to find across different ancestries.
Families who may need cord blood in an emergency
A transfer process for units held by failing banks could keep stored cord blood from becoming inaccessible just because a bank shuts down or falls out of compliance.
Cord blood banks that meet federal standards
Banks that stay operational and meet quality requirements may be better positioned to keep contracts or receive transferred units under a more centralized inventory system.
Who is affected by H.R. 5160?
Cord blood banks with weak operations or compliance problems
If a bank is no longer operating or cannot meet required standards, HHS could move its stored units elsewhere.
HHS officials running the national inventory
The department would have more responsibility for deciding how much cord blood to keep, which units remain stored, and how to balance diversity, usefulness, and cost.
Congressional appropriators
Lawmakers would need to fund a five-year authorization at $33.009 million annually for the transplant program, up from $31.009 million.
Researchers and transplant providers
They would be working within a system that the bill says should respond to current scientific and clinical information rather than a static inventory target.
Cost & Funding
Authorization
$33.009 million a year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program
- That is a $2 million annual increase from the current $31.009 million authorization.
- Across five years, that back-of-the-napkin increase totals about $10 million above the current baseline.
- The bill also extends the cord blood program's authorization window through 2031.
- The text does not list a separate new dollar amount for the cord blood inventory extension.
What Congress Is Saying
H.R. 5160 has come up 10 times in the Congressional Record so far.
H.R. 5160 also appeared in 1 more House floor reference and 5 routine cosponsor filings.
HR5160 Legislative Journey
Sent to Senate
Jul 21, 2026
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 464.
House: Vote Held
Jul 20, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4642)
House: Committee Action
Jul 2, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-724.
House: Vote: 48-0
May 21, 2026
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 48 - 0.
House: Vote Held
May 13, 2026
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
House: Committee Action
Sep 4, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
About the Sponsor
Christopher Smith
Republican, New Jersey's 4th congressional district · 45 years in Congress
Committees: Foreign Affairs
View full profile →
Cosponsors (21)
This bill has 21 cosponsors: 11 Democrats, 10 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 14 states: Alabama, California, District of Columbia, and 11 more.
Doris Matsui
Democrat · CA
Gus Bilirakis
Republican · FL
Chellie Pingree
Democrat · ME
Claudia Tenney
Republican · NY
Kweisi Mfume
Democrat · MD
Michelle Fischbach
Republican · MN
Debbie Dingell
Democrat · MI
Josh Gottheimer
Democrat · NJ
Robert Aderholt
Republican · AL
Nicole Malliotakis
Republican · NY
Kathy Castor
Democrat · FL
Andrew Garbarino
Republican · NY
Committee Sponsors
Energy and Commerce Committee
6 of 54 committee members cosponsored
28 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does H.R. 5160 change?
1 changes
Sections Amended
Section 2(a) of Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 274k note)
striking ``at least 150,000 new units of high-quality cord blood'' and inserting ``a sufficient supply, as determined by the Secretary, of high-quality cord blood units''
H.R. 5160 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Energy and Commerce
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Health
- Introduced
- Sep 4, 2025
Passed the House, received in Senate
Jul 21, 2026
Official Sources
Official legislative status, text, actions, and summary page for the bill.
Federal patient-facing stem cell transplant resource connected to the national donor and cord blood system supported by this legislation.
This is the U.S. Code section for the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program that the bill amends to extend authorization levels.
Official Public Law text for the 2005 act that established the transplant and cord blood framework being reauthorized and amended here.
H.R. 5160 Common Questions
What does H.R. 5160 actually do?
It extends the federal stem cell transplant program through 2031, raises annual funding to $33.009 million, and rewrites how the national cord blood inventory is managed.
How much money does H.R. 5160 add?
The bill authorizes $33.009 million a year instead of $31.009 million—an increase of $2 million annually, or about $10 million over five years.
Does H.R. 5160 get rid of the 150,000 cord blood target?
Yes. It replaces the fixed 150,000-unit benchmark with a requirement for a “sufficient supply” of high-quality cord blood units, as determined by HHS.
Why does the bill matter for transplant patients?
If you need a match, the bill keeps the federal transplant system running and tells HHS to manage cord blood inventory around clinical usefulness and genetic diversity.
Can HHS move cord blood units from a failed bank?
Yes. If a cord blood bank shuts down or cannot meet required standards, HHS could transfer its stored units to another qualified bank or approved entity.
Does H.R. 5160 let HHS stop storing some cord blood units?
Yes. The bill gives HHS more flexibility to decide which units should stay in storage and which should be collected, retained, or removed based on current evidence.
What counts as a high-quality cord blood unit under H.R. 5160?
A unit would need to meet current industry standards and any FDA requirements. The bill updates the definition so it tracks current quality rules.
Where is H.R. 5160 now?
It has passed the House and, according to Congress.gov, was received in the Senate and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar.
Based on H.R. 5160 bill text
H.R. 5160 Bill Text
“To reauthorize the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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