NEW JERSEY — U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) on Friday announced a package of bipartisan legislation aimed at combating Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses, citing a sharp rise in cases and emergency room visits this summer.
Joined by health experts and community leaders at the Tenafly Nature Center on July 25, 2025, Gottheimer unveiled the Battling Infections Transmitted by Ticks and Exposure Act (BITE Act), the Tick Identification Pilot Program Act, and the Stamp Out Lyme Disease Act, all of which aim to strengthen the national response to tick-borne illnesses, increase public awareness, and fund research toward treatment.
“This is not a left or right issue — this is a Jersey families issue,” said Gottheimer. “We’re making progress on treatments, and we need to double down. There is nothing partisan about a tick bite.”
The BITE Act would create the world’s first national response system for Lyme and vector-borne diseases, including the use of AI to alert people via mobile devices when they are in high-risk tick areas. The Tick Identification Pilot Program would provide federal grants through the CDC to help states develop tick-tracking tools using citizen-submitted photos and location data. The Stamp Out Lyme Disease Act would create a postage stamp to help fund research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Gottheimer’s announcement comes as New Jersey ranks third in the nation for tick-borne illness cases, with more than 2,000 already reported in 2025. The first week of July saw the highest number of tick-related ER visits nationwide since 2017.
Meghan Bradshaw, government relations manager at the Center for Lyme Action, praised Gottheimer’s leadership, calling him a “champion” for bipartisan solutions. Tenafly Nature Center Executive Director Debora Davidson also commended the effort, emphasizing the importance of public awareness in allowing people to safely enjoy the outdoors.
Gottheimer has previously championed legislation like the LymeX Authorization Act, the Children Inflicted by Lyme Disabilities Act, and the TICK Act, all aimed at expanding protections, treatment, and research into Lyme and tick-borne diseases.
