A bill to require the United States Postal Service to sell the Alzheimer’s semipostal stamp for 6 additional years.
Latest action (23 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
S. 5119 would require the U.S. Postal Service to continue selling the Alzheimer's semipostal stamp—a special stamp first offered in 2017 that costs more than regular postage, with the extra amount going to fund research—for an additional 6 years beyond whenever it would otherwise have been discontinued. The bill directs that proceeds from stamp sales during this extended period be transferred to the National Institutes of Health at least twice a year, consistent with the stamp's original purpose of supporting Alzheimer's medical research. It also clarifies that during this extension, the stamp will be treated as authorized under this new law rather than under the general semipostal stamp statute, which normally limits the number of semipostal stamps that can be sold at one time; this ensures the extension doesn't count against that cap.
The bill primarily affects the Postal Service, which would be required to keep offering the stamp, and the National Institutes of Health, which would continue receiving funds raised through stamp sales. Members of the public who wish to support Alzheimer's research through everyday mail purchases would also be able to continue doing so.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 23, 2026, by Senator Edward Markey along with a bipartisan group of cosponsors, and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. It has not yet been voted on, and no further action has occurred beyond introduction and committee referral.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 23, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does S. 5119 do?
- S. 5119 would require the U.S. Postal Service to continue selling the Alzheimer's semipostal stamp—a special stamp first offered in 2017 that costs more than regular postage, with the extra amount going to fund research—for an additional 6 years beyond whenever it would otherwise have been discontinued. The bill directs that proceeds from stamp sales during this extended period be transferred to the National Institutes of Health at least twice a year, consistent with the stamp's original purpose of supporting Alzheimer's medical research. It also clarifies that during this extension, the stamp will be treated as authorized under this new law rather than under the general semipostal stamp statute, which normally limits the number of semipostal stamps that can be sold at one time; this ensures the extension doesn't count against that cap. The bill primarily affects the Postal Service, which would be required to keep offering the stamp, and the National Institutes of Health, which would continue receiving funds raised through stamp sales. Members of the public who wish to support Alzheimer's research through everyday mail purchases would also be able to continue doing so. The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 23, 2026, by Senator Edward Markey along with a bipartisan group of cosponsors, and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. It has not yet been voted on, and no further action has occurred beyond introduction and committee referral.
- Has S. 5119 become law?
- Not yet. As of 23 Jul 2026, S. 5119 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 5119?
- S. 5119 was sponsored by Sen. Edward “Ed” Markey [D-MA] (Democrat-MA), with 13 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5119?
- Introduced (23 Jul 2026).
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