HEART Foundation Act
Creates a nonprofit foundation to raise funds and award grants for cardiovascular research.
In the Senate Judiciary Committee since Sept. 23, 2026, 12 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 23, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- SENATESENATE—
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Cardiovascular research includes work to understand and treat heart and blood-vessel conditions. The bill would create a nonprofit foundation to raise funds and give research grants, with a focus on biomarker research linked to early-onset cardiovascular events. It would set rules for the Foundation’s board, activities, audits, and annual reports.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Establishes a cardiovascular research foundation
The NIH Director would establish the Heart Security Foundation as a federally chartered nonprofit corporation organized under District of Columbia law. It would be separate from the federal government and responsible for its own obligations and liabilities.
- Raises private funds for research
The Foundation could accept private donations and apply for federal research grants. It would provide grants to U.S. research institutions, with priority for high-impact biomarker research connected to early-onset cardiovascular events.
- Creates a five-member governing board
The NIH Director would appoint the five board members, at least three of whom must have expertise in specified research or medical fields. The board would oversee the Foundation, set grant procedures, appoint an executive director, and ensure annual independent financial audits.
- Limits the Foundation’s activities
The Foundation could not engage in political advocacy, fund community organizing, run lifestyle or public messaging campaigns unrelated to research, or operate as a health care provider or insurer.
- Requires annual reporting to Congress
The Foundation would report annually to Congress and the Secretary on funds raised, grants awarded, and outcomes and measurable impacts of its supported research.
The bill would create a separate organization to raise and administer private capital for cardiovascular research and support research institutions. Its stated purposes include prioritizing biomarker research linked to early-onset cardiovascular events and improving access to validated research findings.
The Foundation would be able to seek private donations and federal research grants, but the bill does not provide a specific funding amount. Its board would be subject to conflict-of-interest standards and annual independent financial audits, and the Foundation would have to report its activities and research outcomes.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 23, 2026SENATESEP 23, 2026By Sen. Tillis with 1 original cosponsorReferred to Judiciary
- SAME DAYNOWSenate committeeSEP 23, 2026JUDICIARY NOWSEP 23, 2026In committee for 12 daysNo hearing yet
- 12 DAYS SO FARPassed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- House committee—HOUSE—
- Passed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 232026SEP 23, 2026REFERREDRead twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- SEP 232026SEP 23, 2026INTRODUCEDSENATEIntroduced in Senate
At day 12, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
Support from one state
Plus the sponsor, a Republican. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Republican. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Sen. Tillis’s record: sponsored 60 bills this Congress. 6 passed the Senate; 1 became law.
- Alex PadillaD-CAORIGINAL
What readers think
Discussion
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