Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jul 25, 2023

Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill awards posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Henrietta Lacks in recognition of her immortal cells which have made invaluable contributions to global health, scientific research, our quality of life, and patients' rights.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] · D–MD

Committees

Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]

Legislative record

Actions

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Jul 25, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Jul 25, 2023
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Jul 25, 2023 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.2485 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.2485, 118th Congress: Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2485

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2023-07-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/s2485/BILLS-118s2485is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T23:32:55Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.2485 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.2485 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.2485, 118th Congress: Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2485

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2023-07-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/s2485/BILLS-118s2485is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T23:32:55Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2485 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.2485 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss S.2485, 118th Congress: Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2485

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2023-07-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/s2485/BILLS-118s2485is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T23:32:55Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2485 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.2485 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.2485, 118th Congress: Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2485

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2023-07-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/s2485/BILLS-118s2485is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T23:32:55Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2485 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.