[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 83 (Wednesday, May 25, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          OPIOID BILLS PACKAGE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 25, 2016

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the package of 
opioid bills considered by the House this week, which is a 
comprehensive approach that aims to address the country's opioid 
crisis.
  America is experiencing an opioid addiction epidemic that is striking 
people of all incomes, races, and backgrounds. Every day, 78 Americans 
die from an opioid overdose--this is unacceptable. The urgency of this 
public health epidemic is clear and this legislation is an important 
first step to addressing this crisis.
  This package includes a number of important measures, including a 
provision to expand the availability of nalaxone and other overdose 
reversal drugs. It also encourages criminal justice agencies to 
integrate and sustain Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs. 
Another notable provision creates an inter-agency task force that 
encourages collaboration among the many agencies that come in contact 
with addicts--pertaining to criminal justice, mental health, substance 
abuse, and veteran affairs--and promotes a holistic approach to dealing 
with the crisis.
  While the package includes these important bipartisan provisions, I 
am deeply concerned that Congressional Republicans refused to allow a 
vote on a provision to provide the resources necessary to support this 
new strategy. Congressman Joe Courtney offered an amendment to provide 
an additional $600 million, which is also the President's request, in 
emergency funds. Sadly, it was rejected by all voting House Republicans 
from being considered on the floor. The funding would provide necessary 
resources to meaningfully address the increasing tragedy of this 
crisis. Our states and districts urgently need funding now.
  Despite these shortcomings, I support this legislation as a step in 
the right direction. In the coming weeks, I urge Republicans to work on 
a bipartisan basis to provide the emergency funding necessary to fully 
confront this crisis.

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