WASHINGTON (7News) — A U.S. Congressman is expressing fury and frustration. His bill, designed to help kids with cancer, passed unanimously in the House, but was quietly derailed in December when it hit the Senate. Now, he’s fighting to revive it, and says kids’ lives are hanging in the balance.
For Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), this fight is personal.
“When I was in fourth grade, my best friend, I remember him coming to school one day and he was sick,” said McCaul. “I didn’t quite understand it at the time. It was leukemia. And within a matter of months, I was attending his funeral.”
That loss never left him.
For McCaul, this bill is personal. His best friend died when the boys were in the 4th grade. He says that loss never left him.{ } Photo: SBG
For more than 16 years, McCaul has pushed to expand access to cutting-edge clinical trials and treatments for kids with cancer, including hosting annual gatherings in Washington to hear directly from families thrust into a community they never asked to join.
Time and again, he’s introduced the Give Kids A Chance Act, designed to open doors for innovative drug combinations, and this year, to renew incentives that expired six months ago, to develop treatments for rare diseases.
“In that six month timeframe, we’re losing our ability to create new drug therapies to save children’s lives,” he said. “Every day that goes by, a child could die because of the lack of reauthorization of this important bill.”
The bill is named after Mikaela Naylon, who died of cancer last year at just 16 years old.
16 year old Mikaela Naylon and Congressman Michael McCaul were working together to pass the Give Kids A Chance Act prior to her death, October 29, 2025.{ } Photo: Congressman Michael McCaul
Speaking about her on the House floor, McCaul became emotional.
“She wanted her presence and her voice to help shape our policies and change our world for the better,” he said.
Before her death at 16, Mikaela Naylon urged lawmakers to help other children battling cancer – a promise McCaul is pledging to fulfill. Photo: Naylon Family
It looked like it was happening. In her final days, McCaul made her a promise.
“She knew she was dying,” he said. “Sadly, she passed, and on her deathbed, we all sent her YouTube videos and we spoke to her on the phone and I told her that your legacy will be this bill.”
In December, the legislation sailed through the House unanimously.
Then, a single objection brought it to a halt in the Senate, drawing outrage on the floor.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), while pledging support for cancer victims, tried to add a healthcare amendment, claiming it was agreed upon by Democrats and Republicans.
Senator Bernie Sanders tried to attach a separate health care amendment to the Give Kids a Chance Act, one dealing with broader healthcare policy that was not directly related to pediatric cancer drug development. Under Senate rules, that objection alone was enough to block unanimous consent – and incentives to pediatric cancer drug development remain expired. Photo: CSPAN
That was refused, and the bill stalled, with Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) raising his voice in outrage.
“He’s playing with kids’ lives,” Mullin said. “He’s literally killing kids in front of us because of his political movement.”
For McCaul, it’s a betrayal of the will of his colleagues and the people they represent.
“We can entertain other healthcare packages and we will,” he said, “But for God’s sakes, don’t hold up this bill as a hostage to our children over these other healthcare bills.”
We reached out to Senator Sanders’ office. This story will be updated if we receive a response.
McCaul said if Americans want this bill to move forward, they need to contact their members of Congress.
To find out who represents you and how to contact them, click this link above.
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