The F.R.E.E.D. Act - Judy's march on Washington

Yesterday morning Senators Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Al Franken (D-MN) introduced into the Senate the first comprehensive legislation aimed at fighting and preventing eating disorders in the United States: Federal Response to Eliminate Eating Disorders (FREED Act). The bill has already been introduced in the House (H.R. 1193).

It was thrilling to sit in the front row of a press room in Capitol Hill and hear Senator Harkin loudly and proudly endorse this much needed legislation to provide for the much needed research, education and treatment needed to fight ED.

I spent the rest of the day with 2 other amazing women meeting with staffers from the offices of Sens. Gillibrand, Lautenberg, Menendez, Shaheen and Rep. Pascrell himself to advocate for their co-sponsorship of the bill. At the closing press conference, following remarks from Congressman Patrick Kennedy who introduced the House bill last year, I received the following email from Senator Menendez's office:

I wanted to let you know that Senator Menendez has agreed to cosponsor the FREED Act. Thank you again for taking the time to come to the office today and share Melissa’s story.

Look forward to working with you on this important issue.

Office of US Senator Robert Menendez

528 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510-0001