Legislation to honor the late wife of Sixth District Congressman Andy Barr (R-Lexington) cleared a Congressional Committee on Wednesday, paving the way for final action by the full House of Representatives.
Known as the Cardiovascular Advances in Research and Opportunities Legacy Act, or CAROL Act, it unanimously passed through the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Barr is leading this bill to honor the legacy of his late-wife, Eleanor “Carol” Leavell Barr, and make critical investments in research for valvular heart disease.
The CAROL Act authorizes a grant program administered by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, supporting research on valvular heart disease. It also convenes a workshop of subject matter experts to identify research needs and opportunities to develop prescriptive guidelines for treatment of patients with mitral valve prolapse, or MVP. Finally, the bill instructs the Centers for Disease Control to increase public awareness regarding symptoms of valvular heart disease and effective strategies for preventing sudden cardiac death.
“Carol’s life was dedicated to serving her community and country,” Barr stated. “This legislation that honors her extraordinary life and legacy will invest in the critical research needed to prevent the tragedy that impacted our family from happening to others. I am grateful to Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Congresswoman Kathleen Rice, and Congressman Brett Guthrie, for pushing this legislation through the Committee. It is time to move this bill across the finish line and save lives.”
Rice, a New York Democrat, said, “I commend my friend Congressman Barr for leading this bipartisan bill which will fund new investments in valvular heart disease research and honor his wife, Carol. I am proud to co-lead this legislation, and I thank Chairman Pallone and our Energy and Commerce colleagues who advanced it today.”
Guthrie, R-Bowling Green, offered his thoughts.
“I’m thrilled the CAROL Act is now one step closer to becoming law after the full Energy and Commerce Committee passed it at today’s markup. I commend my colleague and friend Andy Barr for introducing this legacy bill in honor of his late wife, Carol, to help other families avoid the same tragedy his family has faced. I hope the CAROL Act receives a vote on the House floor soon, and I will continue to support this bill every step of the way.”
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Written by Tom Latek. Cross-posted from Kentucky Today.
