[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 14 (Wednesday, January 21, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H1158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL BLOOD DONOR MONTH

  (Mr. WIED asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WIED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of January as 
National Blood Donor Month. Each winter, blood centers across the 
Nation experience reduced donor turnout, while the need for blood 
remains constant.
  In the United States, someone requires a blood transfusion every 2 
seconds to treat patients facing trauma, surgeries, childbirth 
complications, cancer, chronic conditions, and so much more, yet our 
blood supply remains critically low.
  Because of the urgent and ongoing need for blood donations, I 
recently introduced H.R. 5791, the Boosting Lifesaving Operations, 
Opening Donation Centers Act, or the BLOOD Centers Act, alongside my 
Democratic colleague, Congresswoman Schrier.
  This commonsense, bipartisan legislation would streamline the 
bureaucratic burdens of opening a new blood center while still ensuring 
oversight and safety in donation facilities and of the blood they 
collect.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the BLOOD Centers Act so 
we can expedite the ability of blood centers to open new locations and 
collect lifesaving blood for those who need it.
  Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, I also want to encourage everyone 
listening today to consider taking the time to donate blood if you are 
able to. First-time donors are always welcome, and every donation has 
the power to save a life.

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