The U.S. Senate passed a cancer bill backed by Mary Lasker, paving the way for the National Cancer Act.
On July 7, 1971, the United States Senate passed a pivotal cancer research bill, a result of extensive lobbying and advocacy by Mary Lasker. This legislation closely followed proposals she and the Panel of Consultants advocated, marking a significant legislative development towards what became the National Cancer Act of 1971. Passed by an overwhelming majority of 79–1, the bill represented a bipartisan commitment to enhancing federal funding and research focus on cancer, effectively laying the groundwork for transformative public health policies. Lasker's unwavering activism and strategic advocacy efforts were instrumental in moving this agenda forward within the Senate.