The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed the Kay Hagan Tick Act reauthorization, a bipartisan bill focused on improving the nation’s response to Lyme disease and other tick‑borne illnesses.

Since the House unanimously passed the legislation last week, it now moves to a conference committee, where both chambers will work out differences and agree on a final version.

The original Tick Act became law in 2019 and was authorized for five years. It created a national strategy for tick‑borne disease, funded regional Centers of Excellence, and provided grants to state and local health departments to strengthen surveillance, prevention, and public health capacity. With that authorization period ending, Congress must renew the law to keep these programs operating.

As the bill enters conference, lawmakers will negotiate a unified version that can move forward for final passage.