[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 183 (Tuesday, October 19, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H5647-H5650]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         STATE OPIOID RESPONSE GRANT AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2021

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2379) to amend the 21st Century Cures Act to reauthorize and 
expand a grant program for State response to the opioid use disorders 
crisis, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2379

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

[[Page H5648]]

  


     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``State Opioid Response Grant 
     Authorization Act of 2021''.

     SEC. 2. GRANT PROGRAM FOR STATE AND TRIBAL RESPONSE TO OPIOID 
                   AND STIMULANT USE AND MISUSE.

       Section 1003 of the 21st Century Cures Act (42 U.S.C. 
     290ee-3 note) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 1003. GRANT PROGRAM FOR STATE AND TRIBAL RESPONSE TO 
                   OPIOID AND STIMULANT USE AND MISUSE.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services (referred to in this section as the `Secretary') 
     shall carry out the grant program described in subsection (b) 
     for purposes of addressing opioid and stimulant use and 
     misuse, within States, Indian Tribes, and populations served 
     by Tribal organizations and Urban Indian organizations.
       ``(b) Grants Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to the availability of 
     appropriations, the Secretary shall award grants to States, 
     Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Urban Indian 
     organizations for the purpose of addressing opioid and 
     stimulant use and misuse, within such States, such Indian 
     Tribes, and populations served by such Tribal organizations 
     and Urban Indian organizations, in accordance with paragraph 
     (2).
       ``(2) Minimum allocations; preference.--In determining 
     grant amounts for each recipient of a grant under paragraph 
     (1), the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) ensure that each State receives not less than 
     $4,000,000; and
       ``(B) give preference to States, Indian Tribes, Tribal 
     organizations, and Urban Indian organizations whose 
     populations have an incidence or prevalence of opioid use 
     disorders or stimulant use or misuse that is substantially 
     higher relative to the populations of other States, other 
     Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, or Urban Indian 
     organizations, as applicable.
       ``(3) Formula methodology.--
       ``(A) In general.--Before publishing a funding opportunity 
     announcement with respect to grants under this section, the 
     Secretary shall--
       ``(i) develop a formula methodology to be followed in 
     allocating grant funds awarded under this section among 
     grantees, which includes performance assessments for 
     continuation awards; and
       ``(ii) not later than 30 days after developing the formula 
     methodology under clause (i), submit the formula methodology 
     to--

       ``(I) the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the 
     Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; 
     and
       ``(II) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
     Pensions and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

       ``(B) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of 
     the enactment of the State Opioid Response Grant 
     Authorization Act of 2021, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall submit to the Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
     Representatives a report that--
       ``(i) assesses how grant funding is allocated to States 
     under this section and how such allocations have changed over 
     time;
       ``(ii) assesses how any changes in funding under this 
     section have affected the efforts of States to address opioid 
     or stimulant use or misuse; and
       ``(iii) assesses the use of funding provided through the 
     grant program under this section and other similar grant 
     programs administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental 
     Health Services Administration.
       ``(4) Use of funds.--Grants awarded under this subsection 
     shall be used for carrying out activities that supplement 
     activities pertaining to opioid and stimulant use and misuse, 
     undertaken by the State agency responsible for administering 
     the substance abuse prevention and treatment block grant 
     under subpart II of part B of title XIX of the Public Health 
     Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300x-21 et seq.), which may include 
     public health-related activities such as the following:
       ``(A) Implementing prevention activities, and evaluating 
     such activities to identify effective strategies to prevent 
     substance use disorders.
       ``(B) Establishing or improving prescription drug 
     monitoring programs.
       ``(C) Training for health care practitioners, such as best 
     practices for prescribing opioids, pain management, 
     recognizing potential cases of substance use disorders, 
     referral of patients to treatment programs, preventing 
     diversion of controlled substances, and overdose prevention.
       ``(D) Supporting access to health care services, 
     including--
       ``(i) services provided by federally certified opioid 
     treatment programs;
       ``(ii) outpatient and residential substance use disorder 
     treatment services that utilize medication-assisted 
     treatment, as appropriate; or
       ``(iii) other appropriate health care providers to treat 
     substance use disorders.
       ``(E) Recovery support services, including--
       ``(i) community-based services that include peer supports;
       ``(ii) mutual aid recovery programs that support 
     medication-assisted treatment; or
       ``(iii) services to address housing needs and family 
     issues.
       ``(F) Other public health-related activities, as the State, 
     Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Urban Indian 
     organization determines appropriate, related to addressing 
     substance use disorders within the State, Indian Tribe, 
     Tribal organization, or Urban Indian organization, including 
     directing resources in accordance with local needs related to 
     substance use disorders.
       ``(c) Accountability and Oversight.--A State receiving a 
     grant under subsection (b) shall include in reporting related 
     to substance use disorders submitted to the Secretary 
     pursuant to section 1942 of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 300x-52), a description of--
       ``(1) the purposes for which the grant funds received by 
     the State under such subsection for the preceding fiscal year 
     were expended and a description of the activities of the 
     State under the grant;
       ``(2) the ultimate recipients of amounts provided to the 
     State; and
       ``(3) the number of individuals served through the grant.
       ``(d) Limitations.--Any funds made available pursuant to 
     subsection (i)--
       ``(1) shall not be used for any purpose other than the 
     grant program under subsection (b); and
       ``(2) shall be subject to the same requirements as 
     substance use disorders prevention and treatment programs 
     under titles V and XIX of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 290aa et seq., 300w et seq.).
       ``(e) Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and Urban Indian 
     Organizations.--The Secretary, in consultation with Indian 
     Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Urban Indian organizations, 
     shall identify and establish appropriate mechanisms for 
     Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Urban Indian 
     organizations to demonstrate or report the information as 
     required under subsections (b), (c), and (d).
       ``(f) Report to Congress.--Not later than September 30, 
     2024, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall submit 
     to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of 
     the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
     House of Representatives, and the Committees on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
     Senate, a report that includes a summary of the information 
     provided to the Secretary in reports made pursuant to 
     subsections (c) and (e), including--
       ``(1) the purposes for which grant funds are awarded under 
     this section;
       ``(2) the activities of the grant recipients; and
       ``(3) for each State, Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, 
     and Urban Indian organization that receives a grant under 
     this section, the funding level provided to such recipient.
       ``(g) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary, including 
     through the Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center 
     of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
     Administration, shall provide States, Indian Tribes, Tribal 
     organizations, and Urban Indian organizations, as applicable, 
     with technical assistance concerning grant application and 
     submission procedures under this section, award management 
     activities, and enhancing outreach and direct support to 
     rural and underserved communities and providers in addressing 
     substance use disorders.
       ``(h) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian Tribe' has the 
     meaning given the term `Indian tribe' in section 4 of the 
     Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
     U.S.C. 5304).
       ``(2) Tribal organization.--The term `Tribal organization' 
     has the meaning given the term `tribal organization' in such 
     section 4.
       ``(3) State.--The term `State' has the meaning given such 
     term in section 1954(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 300x-64(b)).
       ``(4) Urban indian organization.--The term `Urban Indian 
     organization' has the meaning given such term in section 4 of 
     the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.
       ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       ``(1) In general.--For purposes of carrying out the grant 
     program under subsection (b), there is authorized to be 
     appropriated $1,750,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 
     through 2027, to remain available until expended.
       ``(2) Federal administrative expenses.--Of the amounts made 
     available for each fiscal year to award grants under 
     subsection (b), the Secretary shall not use more than 20 
     percent for Federal administrative expenses, training, 
     technical assistance, and evaluation.
       ``(3) Set aside.--Of the amounts made available for each 
     fiscal year to award grants under subsection (b) for a fiscal 
     year, the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) award 5 percent to Indian Tribes, Tribal 
     organizations, and Urban Indian organizations; and
       ``(B) of the amount remaining after application of 
     subparagraph (A), set aside up to 15 percent for awards to 
     States with the highest age-adjusted rate of drug overdose 
     death based on the ordinal ranking of States according to the 
     Director of the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in

[[Page H5649]]

which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous 
material on H.R. 2379.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2379, the State Opioid 
Response Grant Authorization Act of 2021.
  The substance use and opioid crisis continues to be a public health 
emergency and has evolved into a devastating dual threat when combined 
with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  Opioids are the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in the United 
States. Tragically, last year, more than 93,000 Americans died from an 
opioid overdose. That is the highest 12-month death toll since the 
beginning of the opioid epidemic.
  Now, experts suspect that the COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated this 
terrible record last year. Overall, it is estimated that more than 20 
million Americans have a substance use disorder. While treatment and 
services are available, many do not have access to or are not aware of 
the care in their communities.
  H.R. 2379 basically supports our ongoing work to combat the opioid 
crisis, and the legislation enhances our efforts in the 21st Century 
Cures Act and the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act. It does 
this by authorizing the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration State Opioid Response grant program, better known as 
SAMHSA's SOR grant program.
  The bill also aligns the authorization with authorities included in 
the 21st Century Cures Act.
  Although the SAMHSA grant program has been funded through the 
appropriations process since 2018, it does not have a statutory 
authorization. This legislation provides that important authorization 
and ensures future funding.
  Today, the SOR grants are used to enhance prevention and recovery 
activities across the States, including support services to address 
stimulant misuse and use disorders. These grants also reduce barriers 
to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, which is 
critical to addressing the treatment gap and reducing the number of 
overdose deaths.
  This bill also provides Congress more information and transparency 
about existing funding, including the formula used to make allocations 
to States. This information will allow us to examine how changes to 
these allocations impact the progress States are making to address the 
opioid crisis.
  It is important for this program to direct resources to communities 
most in need or where surges in opioid or stimulant use are occurring, 
and this information will help us make sure that resources are getting 
to where they are needed the most.
  I want to thank the sponsor of the bill, the gentleman from Maryland 
(Mr. Trone), for his leadership on this issue. I also want to thank my 
Republican committee colleagues for their support on this legislation, 
as we continue our work to address the substance use crisis in this 
country.
  Madam Speaker, the bill unanimously passed the House last year. I 
urge my colleagues to support it once again today. I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2379, the State Opioid 
Response Grant Authorization Act. This important bill authorizes the 
appropriations for the State Opioid Response grant program administered 
by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
  The United States still remains in the midst of an opioid crisis that 
has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal grants have 
provided a substantial level of support to States that are on the front 
lines of addressing substance use disorders, including opioid and 
stimulant use disorders.
  H.R. 2379 would ensure continued, predictable support for substance 
use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts for several 
years. I support passage of this legislation, and I reserve the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Trone), the author of the bill.
  Mr. TRONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to 
support my bill, the State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act.
  This bipartisan bill directly addresses the worsening opioid crisis 
by authorizing $10.5 billion over 6 years in grants to States and 
Tribes. This funding will prevent and treat those suffering from 
addiction.
  During Recovery Month last month, I met with several healthcare 
providers to discuss the challenges faced by those in recovery. We hear 
time and time again how individuals in recovery often struggle to 
access the resources they need.
  This bill meets the moment by giving States and Tribes the 
consistent, necessary funding they need to meet their specific needs.
  I want to thank Energy and Commerce Chairman Pallone and Ranking 
Member McMorris Rodgers, and Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Eshoo, and 
my friend, Subcommittee Ranking Member Guthrie, for considering this 
bill.
  I thank our bipartisan sponsors. In particular, I want to thank 
Congresswoman Sherrill, Congressman Baird, and Congressman Armstrong 
for their advocacy. I am so grateful to the members of the Bipartisan 
Addiction and Mental Health Task Force for helping us get this over the 
finish line.
  When we put aside partisan politics and focus on the real issues and 
work hard, we can make a difference. For these reasons, I urge a 
``yes'' vote on the State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act.

                              {time}  1615

  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Maryland for the 
kind words.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. 
Curtis), my friend and an important member of the Energy and Commerce 
Committee.
  Mr. CURTIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2379, the 
State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act.
  This legislation provides critical resources to State and local 
governments combating the opioid crisis that has crippled communities 
across the United States, including Utah.
  This legislation will give State and local governments flexibility in 
addressing this tragic epidemic in their communities.
  For example, in Utah there are significant socioeconomic differences 
between Price and Orem, two communities I represent that are both 
fighting addiction.
  We have to allow experts on the ground to address these challenges 
accordingly, which is why I strongly support this legislation.
  Equally as important is ensuring we have the workforce to treat 
individuals suffering with addiction.
  That is why I recently introduced the Helping Enable Access to 
Lifesaving Services Act, or the HEALS Act.
  The HEALS Act would complement the State opioid response grants with 
targeted Federal dollars to help train future behavioral healthcare 
workers in areas of high need.
  Taken together, these are the necessary steps to fight addiction in 
communities across our country, which has taken the lives of nearly 
100,000 Americans in this past year alone.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2379 and my legislation, the 
HEALS Act.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Deutch).
  Mr. DEUTCH. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for 
yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2379 to extend and broaden 
our efforts to help Americans with substance use disorder get the help 
they need to help prevent addiction and to save lives.
  I thank my friends, Mr. Trone and Ms. Sherrill, for their leadership.
  Earlier this year, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced

[[Page H5650]]

that opioid response grantees will now be able to use these funds to 
expand access to fentanyl test strips.
  Tragically, that announcement came just 1 month after the death of my 
dear nephew, Eli Weinstock.
  At just 20 years old, Eli died of an unintentional fentanyl overdose 
after ingesting a legal herbal supplement tainted with fentanyl.
  Out of our grief, Eli's family created an organization, BirdieLight, 
to increase awareness of fentanyl risks and the tools like fentanyl 
test strips needed to save lives.
  From 2019 to 2020, overdose deaths spiked by over 22,000 to a record 
93,331 Americans who died of overdose in 2020.
  Young people aged 15 to 24 saw a nearly 50 percent increase in 1 
year.
  Last month, the Drug Enforcement Administration issued its first 
public safety alert in 6 years to warn of the surge of counterfeit 
pills laced with fentanyl.
  The DEA has seized over 11.3 million fake pills over the past year, 
more than the previous 2 years combined.
  Fentanyl has been found in fake imitations of real prescription 
medications, including oxycodone, Xanax, and stimulants like Adderall.
  These substances are easily acquired on social media platforms or 
from friends who have no idea where they came from or what is in them.
  We need to talk about this. We need to change this. We need to act.
  We need to do it for Eli and for the hundreds of Americans who die of 
overdose every day in this country.
  This legislation is an important first step. I urge my colleagues to 
vote for it.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline).
  Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Across the country, the opioid epidemic is devastating families and 
communities.
  In Rhode Island, the COVID-19 pandemic is only worsening this crisis. 
In 2020 alone, accidental overdose deaths in Rhode Island increased by 
25 percent, with most involving opioids.
  State Opioid Response funding has been critical to combating this 
deadly epidemic and helped provide Rhode Islanders with the resources 
we need to combat drug abuse, prevent overdoses, and save lives.
  The majority of Rhode Islanders who lost their lives to an opioid 
overdose in recent years had a history of substance abuse without 
treatment, and we need resources to intervene now.
  State Opioid Response funding has helped provide the support and 
treatment people suffering addiction need so desperately.
  It means access to naloxone and training on how to use it. It means 
paths to recovery. And it means saving lives.
  I thank Representative Trone for introducing H.R. 2379, the State 
Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act of 2021 to support States in 
their fight against this opioid epidemic.
  I urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation and save 
lives.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I think this is a good bill. It is an 
important bill.
  All of our States have been affected by the opioid crisis, so it is 
good that we are here today focusing on this in a bipartisan way 
working together.
  Madam Speaker, I urge the support of this bill, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, again, this is a very important bill 
addressing the opioid epidemic with these various grant programs.
  Madam Speaker, I would ask for support on a bipartisan basis, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2379, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. GOOD of Virginia. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

                          ____________________