[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 5876-5896]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            COMPREHENSIVE OPIOID ABUSE REDUCTION ACT OF 2016


                             General Leave

  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5046, about to be 
considered by the House.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hultgren). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 720 and rule 
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House 
on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 5046.
  The Chair appoints the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) to 
preside over the Committee of the Whole.

                              {time}  1234


                     In the Committee of the Whole

  Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the 
Whole House on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill 
(H.R. 5046) to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 
1968 to authorize the Attorney General to make grants to assist State 
and local governments in addressing the national epidemic of opioid 
abuse, and for other purposes, with Ms. Foxx in the chair.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The CHAIR. Pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered read the 
first time.
  The gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte) and the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Conyers) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Today the United States is in the throes of an epidemic of 
prescription opioid and heroin abuse. Every Member of this body has 
heard a tragic story about a constituent who has become addicted to 
opioids, and, tragically, many have lost their lives to the addiction.
  The statistics are shocking. In 2014, 47,055 Americans died from a 
drug overdose. Of those deaths, 18,893 were attributable to 
prescription pain relievers and 10,574 were related to heroin. The 
number of opioids prescribed nearly tripled from 1991 to 2013.
  Though the United States has 5 percent of the world's population, 
Americans consume 80 percent of the global opioid supply. More than 
half of chronic prescription drug abusers obtain those pills from 
prescriptions written for them or for friends or family members. In 
2014, nearly half a million teenagers used prescription painkillers for 
nonmedical purposes.
  My home State of Virginia is not immune to the ravages of opioid 
addiction. In 1999, approximately 23 people died from abuse of 
fentanyl, hydrocodone, methadone, and oxycodone, the leading 
prescription opioids abused. By 2013, that number jumped to 386 
prescription opioid deaths, a staggering increase of 1,578 percent.
  In 2013 alone, deaths attributed to fentanyl use increased by more 
than 100 percent. Data also shows a sharp rise in heroin deaths in 
Virginia. In 2010, 49 deaths were attributed to heroin use. By 2013, 
just 3 years later, that figure had risen to 213, an increase of 334 
percent. The number of drug overdose deaths in Virginia surpassed the 
number of traffic fatalities for the first time in 2014.
  This is a problem that affects Americans in all regions of the 
country, across all socioeconomic levels, and one that Congress will 
address with passage of H.R. 5046, the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse 
Reduction Act of 2016, and other opioid legislation approved by the 
House this week.
  H.R. 5046, sponsored by Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and 
Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner, provides 
resources to States, localities, Indian tribes, and others to help 
fight the historic problem of opioid abuse. I am pleased to be an 
original cosponsor of this bill.
  H.R. 5046 is an important, reasonable piece of legislation that will 
do a great deal to combat the opioid epidemic. It creates a 
comprehensive opioid abuse reduction program at the Department

[[Page 5877]]

of Justice, which will direct Federal resources for drug abuse programs 
targeted at the opioid problem within our criminal justice system. By 
styling this as a competitive grant program for opioids, this bill will 
give States and localities maximum flexibility to attack opioid abuse 
issues unique to their communities.
  States will be able to use the grant funds for a variety of important 
criminal justice programs, including alternatives to incarceration, 
treatment programs for incarcerated individuals, juvenile opioid abuse, 
investigation and enforcement of drug trafficking and distribution 
laws, and significant training for first responders in carrying and 
administering opioid overdose reversal drugs like naloxone.
  States will also be allowed to enlist nonprofit organizations, 
including faith-based organizations, in the fight against opioid abuse. 
The bill authorizes this new program at $103 million annually over 5 
years.
  Importantly, the comprehensive grant program created by H.R. 5046 is 
fully offset in accordance with the House CutGo protocol. This means 
that Congress has successfully directed funds to address the opioid 
epidemic by taking advantage of existing funding streams to Department 
of Justice grant programs. The result is no net increase in spending 
authorizations and no additional burden on the American taxpayer, which 
is a responsible, good government approach to this epidemic.
  H.R. 5046 is thoughtful, historic legislation that, once enacted, 
will help fulfill Congress' duty to protect the American people.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CONYERS. Madam Chairwoman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I am pleased to rise in support of H.R. 5046, the Comprehensive 
Opioid Abuse Reduction Act.
  H.R. 5046 is an important complement to a wide range of legislation 
being considered in the House this week that is aimed at combating the 
devastating impact of drug abuse and addiction that is afflicting 
communities across our Nation.
  We are, in fact, in the midst of a major public health crisis caused 
by prescription and opioid abuse. It is a crisis that affects Americans 
of all ages, races, and income levels in our cities, suburbs, and rural 
areas across the United States.
  Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death in our Nation. In 
my State of Michigan, for example, there were 1,745 drug overdose 
deaths in 2014, and more than half of these overdose deaths were 
attributed to opioids and heroin. In fact, 78 Americans die from an 
opioid overdose every single day. I am very familiar with the 
devastation heroin can exact over people and their communities.
  Heroin took a deadly toll on Detroit in the 1970s and is now 
threatening to take hold of a new generation of addicts. Armed with 
lessons learned from that era and the crack epidemic of the 1980s, we 
are wiser and more capable. This time we can and must do more to 
respond to this crisis.
  Fortunately, a number of States have undertaken various innovative 
measures to better respond to the rapid increase of individuals 
addicted to prescription opioids and heroin and to prevent individuals 
from dying as a result of drug overdose.
  For instance, the Judiciary Committee's Crime, Terrorism, Homeland 
Security, and Investigations Subcommittee held a hearing last year that 
examined, among other things, the promising use of the law enforcement-
assisted diversion approach employed in cities such as Seattle and 
Santa Fe.
  We have learned that there are successful ways to get addicts to 
treatment and to quickly provide them with needed services that address 
their addiction and prevent recidivism. We know that evidence-based 
treatment and treatment alternatives to incarceration work.
  The Comprehensive Opioid Addiction Recovery Act, as authorized by 
H.R. 5046, would establish a competitive grant program to provide funds 
to State and local governments to continue and improve their efforts to 
protect Americans from the dangers of opioid and heroin abuse and to 
make sure that addicts have access to the services that are provided.
  Funds from the new grant program could be used for the following 
purposes: treatment alternatives to incarceration, collaboration 
between State criminal justice agencies and State substance abuse 
systems, for first responders to purchase and be trained in the use of 
naloxone, medication-assisted treatment programs by criminal justice 
agencies, investigating the legal distribution of opioids, prescription 
drug monitoring programs, addressing juvenile opioid abuse, and for 
comprehensive opioid abuse response programs.

                              {time}  1245

  Our communities need our assistance in meeting the threat of opioid 
abuse, and this bill before us will fund innovative approaches to the 
problem such as the LEAD program developed in Seattle that I mentioned 
earlier.
  H.R. 5046 would go a long way toward providing that critical help, 
and so, accordingly, I support this bill. I urge all my colleagues to 
give it their support as well.
  Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Madam Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), the chairman of the Subcommittee on 
Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations of the 
Committee on the Judiciary, and the chief author of this legislation.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Madam Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 5046, 
the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act.
  The misuse of and addiction to opioids, such as heroin, morphine, and 
other prescription pain medications, has had a devastating hold on this 
country. It affects every State and every district. Prescription 
painkillers and heroin are the primary driving forces behind this 
epidemic. According to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, in 2014, 45 percent of the people who used heroin reported 
that they were also addicted to prescription painkillers.
  Additionally, drug overdoses now surpass automobile accidents as the 
leading cause of injury-related death for Americans between the ages of 
25 and 64. Nearly a half million Americans lost their lives to drug 
overdoses in 2015. More than 800 of those deaths occurred in my home 
State of Wisconsin, double the number of deaths from overdoses in 2004, 
just 11 years earlier. Yet, despite these staggering numbers, the 
crisis is getting worse. Drug overdose deaths have increased 137 
percent since 2010, with opioid-related overdose deaths increasing by 
200 percent.
  The moment to reverse our current course and make a genuine and 
lasting impact in the fight against addiction is here. All over the 
country, people are calling on Congress to find solutions. In townhall 
meetings, on the campaign trail, and through social media, lawmakers 
are hearing heartbreaking stories from families and friends of addicted 
individuals and leaders of impacted communities.
  There is no single solution to this epidemic. The most effective way 
to approach addiction is to pursue a comprehensive response, which must 
include a strict focus on prevention, law enforcement strategies to 
stop drug dealers and traffickers, a plan to address overdosing, and a 
plan to strengthen opioid abuse treatment and recovery options for 
those struggling with their addiction.
  The Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act is an important piece of 
this puzzle. While State and local officials and community 
organizations must be at the forefront of confronting this challenge, 
the Federal Government should help support these efforts. My 
legislation authorizes the Attorney General to make grants available to 
States and localities for a number of services related to opioid and 
heroin abuse.
  The grant program contains eight allowable uses of the grant funds, 
which

[[Page 5878]]

are broadly construed to give States flexibility in responding to the 
epidemic within their borders, meaning not a one-size-fits-all program. 
These include alternatives to the incarceration programs; collaboration 
between criminal justice agencies and substance abuse systems; training 
for first responders in carrying and administering opioid overdose 
reversal drugs, including naloxone; and prescription drug monitoring 
programs.
  It is imperative that we pursue aggressive measures to stint opioids' 
dangerous progression, for a stronger, more prosperous America. The 
Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act is a commonsense and 
bipartisan approach that addresses the issue head-on and will make a 
positive impact on our fight against addiction. H.R. 5046 is fully 
offset and contains strong accountability provisions to ensure funding 
is spent wisely.
  I want to thank Chairman Goodlatte and my colleagues in the Senate 
for their tremendous work while addressing the opioid epidemic. I am 
optimistic that, with passage of this bill and the additional opioid 
measures the House of Representatives is considering this week, we can 
go quickly to conference and send meaningful legislation to the 
President for his signature. I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 
5046.
  Mr. CONYERS. Madam Chairwoman, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), the ranking member on the Subcommittee on 
Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations of the 
Committee on the Judiciary, who has done tremendous work on this 
subject.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Chair, I thank the distinguished ranking 
member and the dean of this institution for yielding and for his 
leadership; but it is even more powerful that the leadership joins with 
our distinguished chairman of the full committee, Mr. Goodlatte, 
because this is the beginning of our effort of criminal justice reform 
that certainly has been one of the guiding focuses of the chairman of 
the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and 
Investigations, Mr. Sensenbrenner, who has, likewise, been a former 
chair of the full committee but has steadily worked on thoughtful 
legislation dealing with the overall issue of criminal justice reform.
  I am delighted to be a partner in this legislation and to be a 
cosponsor and to work on this whole concept of dealing with opioids 
but, as well, to deal with the question of criminal justice reform with 
a whole new attitude.
  I might say that I heard words from Leader Pelosi yesterday evening 
as she received the Hubert H. Humphrey Civil and Human Rights Award. 
She indicated that there are three major issues that we should be 
governed by in this Congress: number one, children; number two, 
children; and number three, children.
  One might ask: Why are we discussing children? I thought we were 
discussing the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act of 2016, and 
that we are. I am very pleased that it is a very forthright and 
thoughtful approach to this issue. I support it. But it is a 
compilation, if you will, of many thoughts about how we should deal 
with the question of mass incarceration.
  What does mass incarceration deal with? It deals with human beings. 
It deals with men and women. It deals with families. It deals with 
mothers who have children. Previously, if you were on any manner of 
drugs or you possessed drugs, you were nonviolent, you were 
incarcerated. If you were on crack or cocaine, you were incarcerated.
  I commend the chairman of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, 
Homeland Security, and Investigations, Mr. Sensenbrenner, for his work, 
as I said, and Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Conyers because we 
now have, from the Committee on the Judiciary, a legislative initiative 
that does not have mandatory minimums. In fact, it deals with a 
passionate and compassionate approach, and it deals with the issue of 
addiction and recovery, the bill that I was a sponsor of earlier, a 
predecessor to this one, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act.
  I would be happy to see the committee pass that bill, but I am 
pleased that we have been able to work together to produce an 
alternative bill that will help address issues related to opioid 
abuse--again, I emphasize, no mandatory minimums, but a way of 
addressing this question, Madam Chair, that I think will be long term.
  I look forward to continued collaboration with my colleagues to find 
additional solutions to the drug crisis America now faces. We must take 
action because today a leading killer of Americans is drug overdose. 
Between 2000 and 2014, almost a half million people died from drug 
overdoses. Many of these deaths were preventable. In 2014 alone, more 
than 47,000 people died of drug overdoses. The largest percentage of 
overdose deaths in 2014 was attributable to opioids like prescription 
painkillers, methadone, morphine, and heroin. Therein lies the origin 
of this massive impact, including our juveniles, who find them in many 
different ways. Specifically, 28,647 people overdosed and died because 
of an opioid in 2014.
  We are experiencing an emergency that impacts citizens in every 
State, city, and town in this country--that is, prescription painkiller 
and opioid abuse. This emergency is compounded due to the perilous 
connection between prescription painkillers and heroin. I get it. We 
understand that physicians who did take their oath very seriously 
wanted to provide the medical care, the legitimate medical care when 
there was a massive response to pain from all of their patients and 
others.
  Prescription painkiller abuse is the strongest risk factor for future 
heroin use, but it came about maybe not through the prescription and 
the initial prescription, but from lack of information that patients 
should have about the impact of opioids: what it does to the brain, 
what it does when you do not have it, how you become addicted. So out 
of this, approximately three out of four new heroin users report that 
their use began with their abuse of prescription painkillers initially 
given to them legitimately for medical reasons.
  Heroin use becomes appealing to those addicted to prescription 
painkillers because it is cheaper and easier to obtain. Due to its 
potency, heroin use tends to lead to addiction. The same kind of lack 
of information maybe led to a young woman, in my district, on 
hydrocodone with two little babies in the car driving and sideswiping 
two cars and killing an innocent person on a motorcycle.
  The CHAIR. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Mr. CONYERS. Madam Chair, I yield the gentlewoman an additional 2 
minutes.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Or the mother who gave hydrocodone and alcohol as a 
prom gift to her son and his date. That date wound up dead at the end 
of that prom.
  The rate at which the occurrence of heroin overdose deaths increased 
is cause for alarm. In the 4 years between 2010 and 2014, heroin 
overdoses more than tripled.
  This legislation encourages the development of alternatives to 
incarceration that provide treatment as a solution to the underlying 
motivation for criminal behavior or conduct associated with mental 
disorders. We must make our best efforts. It puts police in a position 
to be trained to use those drugs that will help when they come upon an 
unconscious person, like naloxone. It allows the criminal justice 
system to talk to the substance abuse system. In essence, it increases 
the use and availability of those drugs. Addiction is a disease; we 
recognize that.
  Finally, if I might say, I started with children, children, children. 
Just today, Dr. Phil is here discussing the foster care system. He said 
that most children are taken away because of neglect, and that neglect 
is based upon the use of drugs. That is a wrong direction. The 
direction should be that we keep families together, we invest, and we 
provide the training to provide them parental skills and, if they are 
addicted, to get them off of those addictive ways to be able to keep 
families together.

[[Page 5879]]

  Today I will introduce a bill that provides for nurseries in the 
Federal prison system for women in short-term nonviolent offenses, 
mostly drug offenses, to reinforce the value of mothers and children 
being together. This bill, even though it may not point to that, is an 
overall change of attitude that looks to America and says: We want you 
not to be addicted. We don't want you to be on prescription drugs and 
lead you to addiction after your illness is over. We want you to be 
cared for medically, but we don't want you to become addicted. In order 
to do that, we are not going to criminalize you. We are going to give 
you treatment and allow the criminal justice system--police, 
prosecutors, and others--to have an alternative to ensure that that can 
be done.
  I am very pleased that we are on the floor today. I know that we will 
have an omnibus tomorrow. I hope that you will support the underlying 
bill.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Madam Chairman, it is now my pleasure to yield 2\1/2\ 
minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), the chairman of 
the Committee on Appropriations.
  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chair, I thank the chairman and 
congratulate him on a great bill.
  When the abuse of prescription medications silently took hold of 
rural towns in Appalachia over a decade ago, we knew we had to do 
something to curb the rising tide of addiction and overdose deaths.

                              {time}  1300

  We gathered individuals from all disciplines and backgrounds--
teachers, preachers, parents, judges, cops, doctors, pharmacists, 
community leaders, and others--to brainstorm as to what we could do to 
address the staggering problem.
  We quickly realized there was no silver bullet that could easily 
solve the crisis, but we responded by creating a holistic, 
multidisciplinary organization called Operation UNITE: Unlawful 
Narcotics Investigations Treatment and Education.
  Since 2003, UNITE's law enforcement agents have confiscated more than 
$12 million worth of these drugs and arrested over 4,300 bad actors. 
But we also established 30 drug courts so that the nonviolent offenders 
could get their lives back on track.
  UNITE established a toll-free treatment referral helpline, receiving 
1,200 calls a month. We have provided 4,000 free vouchers to 
individuals who otherwise would be unable to access treatment for their 
addiction.
  UNITE also works hard to engage our young people through community 
coalitions of thousands of people as well as UNITE clubs in our 
schools. Over 100,000 students have taken part in antidrug education 
activities to warn about the dangers of prescription drugs.
  Today it is difficult to imagine a single town in the country that 
has eluded the devastating grasp of opioid addiction. So UNITE took its 
model to the national stage.
  Over the past 5 years, the National Prescription Drug Abuse and 
Heroin Summit in Atlanta has brought together thousands of our 
country's brightest, most dedicated minds.
  At the Federal level, we should be replicating UNITE's holistic, 
multipronged approach. I am, therefore, proud to support this bill, 
which will enable communities around the country to unite to implement 
similar strategies, incorporating law enforcement, treatment, and 
education.
  There is no silver bullet, Mr. Chairman, to bring an end to 
addiction, but together we can certainly save lives and restore hope in 
every community. I think this bill allows that to occur.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Ryan), who is very concerned about this issue.
  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte) and Mr. Sensenbrenner for all their good work 
on this. This is really one of the great days, great weeks, I think, on 
this House floor because of what we are doing here to address the 
heroin and opioid crisis in America.
  It is sad to watch someone from Virginia and someone from Wisconsin 
and someone from Michigan and someone from Ohio and someone from Texas 
all get up and really kind of embody and express how deep this problem 
is in our country today. I know we have all been to calling hours and 
we have all been to funerals and seen up close and personal how 
devastating this epidemic is here in the United States.
  Like many of my colleagues, unfortunately, Ohio has now seen 
accidental deaths by overdose surpass even car accidents. So we all 
need to come together, Democrats and Republicans, to try to solve this 
problem. I think this week is a major step in that direction.
  I am supporting the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act and many 
other bills that are coming to this floor this week.
  In Trumbull County alone, one of my biggest counties, a few months 
back we had 22 overdoses and, of that, 7 deaths in that one county. 
This is pervasive in Cuyahoga County, which is Cleveland. We have 
almost one death a day that we are dealing with in Ohio.
  So the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act program creates at 
the Department of Justice a real opportunity for us to fix this 
program. It focuses on how we can tackle substance abuse through 
preventative programs, expansion of the prescription drug programs, and 
resources for veteran treatment court programs. That is one of the key 
elements of this: how we are going to make sure our veterans can get 
diverted through veterans courts.
  The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Donovan). The time of the gentleman has 
expired.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield the gentleman an additional 1 
minute.
  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. In Ohio alone, we have seen first responders use 
naloxone. In 2013, over 12,000 doses were administered. This is a huge 
problem. We have seen the men and women and we have seen the families 
that have been destroyed because of this.
  I hope that, as we get the Senate bill out of conference, we make 
sure that it is comprehensive, that it is addiction, treatment, and 
recovery, and, as we move through the budget process, through the 
appropriations process, we make sure that there is the appropriate 
revenue, the appropriate amount of money, going to these programs that 
will ultimately hit the ground and help us get our arms around this 
program.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Mimi Walters), a member of the Judiciary Committee.
  Ms. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Chairman, across the United 
States we are faced with a substance abuse epidemic that results in 
overdoses, addiction, and, for too many, death. From opioids to heroin, 
no community--not even Orange County, the place I have called home for 
50 years--is immune.
  Statistics show that nearly 130 people die every single day from drug 
abuse. Though this is a nationwide epidemic, there is not a one-size-
fits-all cure to addiction. That is why the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse 
Reduction Act is so important.
  This bill will create a grant program to help State and local 
governments combat opioid addiction in their communities and give them 
flexibility to dedicate resources to the needs of their specific 
community, whether that means prescription drug monitoring programs, 
overdose treatment training for first responders, or rehabilitation 
programs.
  This legislation passed the Judiciary Committee with unanimous 
support. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill 
because its passage will save lives and help Americans suffering from 
addiction reclaim their lives.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Frankel).
  Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this critical legislation to 
address the nationwide opioid epidemic which has affected south 
Florida, where I am from, as it has communities from California to New 
Hampshire.
  Today I want to tell you about a related crisis that is obstructing 
the recovery of addicts and damaging the

[[Page 5880]]

character of south Florida neighborhoods, and neighborhoods across the 
Nation. I am talking about the overproliferation in residential areas 
of group homes for recovering addicts called sober homes.
  In theory, it is a very good thing, a way to reintegrate addicts back 
into the community. It is activity protected by two historic laws that 
prohibit discrimination in housing against persons with disabilities.
  But this civil rights protection is being abused by two many 
unscrupulous actors who are luring young adults away from their 
families and placing them in group homes that have no standards and 
then leaving them to their own devices until their insurance runs out. 
The result is an overdosing nightmare as well as an increase in 
homelessness, code enforcement violations, and crime.
  Making matters worse, cities and towns feel regulation and consumer 
protection would be in violation of Federal law. As a consequence, we 
are seeing thousands of sober homes in south Florida disrupting 
services and the health and safety of neighborhoods and leaving young 
people who are trying to repair their lives spiraling back into 
hopelessness.
  Mr. Chair, I urge this Congress and the President to work with folks 
in my area and around the country to find the proper balance between 
protecting the rights of addicts and getting them recovered and keeping 
the integrity and character of our neighborhoods.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman 
from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman).
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 5046. I 
thank the gentleman from Wisconsin for his work to combat the Nation's 
opioid epidemic.
  This legislation is important to the whole country and will 
especially have positive impacts in Arkansas by freeing up new grants 
for funds for drug courts. Drug courts have a positive impact on 
people's lives and are integral to countering our Nation's opioid 
epidemic.
  Drug courts in Arkansas have a strong record of success. Last week I 
visited with Judge Berlin Jones in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. His Jefferson 
County drug court has a recidivism rate of only 4.9 percent.
  Drug courts have also saved billions of taxpayer dollars, on average, 
because it costs $14 a day to send a person to a drug court whereas 
incarceration costs $58 per day in my State of Arkansas. Taxpayers also 
save money because these individuals can return to the workforce and 
provide for their families.
  Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 5046 to counter 
this epidemic ruining our families and communities.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
New Hampshire (Mr. Guinta).
  Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Chairman, I am proud to rise in support of H.R. 5046, 
the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act, which will provide more 
effective cooperation between our law enforcement and treatment 
agencies, grow our treatment capabilities, and strengthen programs for 
training and veterans. This bill is an important step in combating the 
growing costs of the terrible opioid epidemic.
  Just last year, in my home State of New Hampshire, deadly overdoses 
following the abuse of heroin killed over 430 people. That staggering 
figure marks the rising toll of this epidemic.
  I commend my colleagues for offering this legislation as part of the 
response to the epidemic and as part of a wider plan moving through the 
House this week.
  This bill aims to bring sorely needed resources to different groups 
and agencies working to help families and individuals in need, 
sometimes in desperate need.
  For too long, too many of those helping our sons and daughters and 
our veterans have been underfunded in their efforts. This week we have 
heard and shared stories of people suffering from this epidemic all 
over the country. These stories help us draft and pass effective 
response to the needs of our communities.
  We know that no one bill or amendment on its own is equal to the 
massive scale of this epidemic, but together they can begin to address 
some of its worst effects and harshest consequences. We need to 
incorporate the best practices that have emerged across disciplines and 
different agencies, and we need to ensure cooperation between actors on 
the ground.
  As part of the House response to the Senate-passed Comprehensive 
Addiction and Recovery Act, this bill represents our commitment to 
restoring hope in shattered communities. I have been a proud sponsor of 
many of the bills coming forward this week, and I am pleased that so 
many have passed and many more are expected to pass today.
  We provide a cohesive, unified, and far-reaching legislative package 
to meet the enormity of this epidemic, and I believe we have begun to 
move in that direction. I thank my colleagues for their dedication and 
tireless work to support this effort.
  I particularly want to commend Chairman Goodlatte on his leadership 
and his efforts as we continue to help and provide hope for people not 
just in New Hampshire, but all across the country.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Carter).
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 5046, the Comprehensive 
Opioid Reduction Act of 2016, because we need to ensure that every 
State has the tools they need to fight the opioid abuse epidemic.
  H.R. 5046 establishes a comprehensive opioid abuse grant program to 
provide training to first responders, criminal investigation for the 
distribution of opioids, resident treatment centers, and drug courts.
  Approximately 47,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2014, and 
approximately 21.5 million people ages 12 and older suffer from 
substance abuse. As a lifelong pharmacist, I have seen firsthand the 
struggles that these people face.
  H.R. 5046 seeks to fight the opioid epidemic through a grant program 
that would provide States with the resources to provide programs to 
help Americans fight this disease.
  It would help improve prescription drug monitoring programs, help 
address juvenile opioid abuse, give first responders the training to 
reverse opioid overdoses, and improve access for veterans in treatment 
court.
  The only way we are going to be able to fight this battle is if we 
work together as a team to educate and help victims of the opioid 
abuse.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.

                              {time}  1315

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, at this time, it is my pleasure to yield 
1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg).
  Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Chairman, like many States across the country, 
heroin and opioid addiction is shattering people's lives in my State of 
Michigan as well.
  To the families that are suffering, we are here to offer solutions, 
to provide hope, and help them recover and get back on their feet.
  There are many community-based programs and groups in my district 
working on the front lines to raise awareness and combat this public 
health crisis; groups like the Monroe County Substance Abuse Coalition, 
the Eaton County Substance Abuse Advisory Council, Andy's Angels in 
Jackson, and many more.
  In Lenawee County, my home county, community stakeholders recently 
came together to hold an addiction summit, and a recovering addict from 
Monroe County recently organized a march to show there is hope after 
heroin. Their work on the local level is absolutely critical.

[[Page 5881]]

  Here at the Federal level, we must work side-by-side with our State 
and local partners to stop the damaging trends of addiction in its 
tracks.
  The bipartisan legislation we are considering today establishes a 
comprehensive opioid abuse reduction program, and gives State and 
localities the flexibility to tailor prevention and treatment efforts 
to the specific needs of their communities.
  I want to thank my colleague, Representative Sensenbrenner, for his 
leadership on the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act, and I 
encourage its passage so we can help rebuild and save lives in our 
communities.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, at this time, it is my pleasure to yield 
1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Meehan).
  Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentlemen from Virginia 
and from Wisconsin for their great work on this important issue.
  I rise in strong support of the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction 
Act for many reasons, but one in particular, for the support that it 
now gives to Veterans Treatment Courts.
  As a former prosecutor, I saw firsthand the effectiveness of this. 
But we are also seeing amongst those who are struggling with opioid 
addiction a unique cohort being veterans. Many of them are returning--
in fact, 67 percent of our returning vets face mental health 
challenges, and too many of them are choosing to self-medicate, or are 
dealing with injuries that they have acquired, through opioids. It has 
led to not only addiction, but other kinds of behaviors.
  When we are able to bring them into the court system under the 
guidance, it creates not only the oversight of the system but, as well, 
the promotion of this peer-to-peer in which other veterans enable them 
to work together to get back not only their dignity and their lives, 
but they take advantage of the kinds of resources that we have within 
the veterans system to deal with the underlying addiction and other 
kinds of issues.
  This is a tremendous additional effort to authorize a program which 
we have been able to support here in Congress and create permanence for 
it. I believe this is another important opportunity for us not to leave 
our injured back on the battlefield.
  I thank the gentlemen for their support.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, at this time, it is my pleasure to yield 
2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood).
  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this measure.
  As a former State and Federal prosecutor who has been in charge of 
prosecuting narcotics cases, I have seen firsthand the devastating 
effect that opioid and heroin addiction has had. This nationwide opioid 
and heroin epidemic stretches home into my district in central and west 
central Illinois.
  Seventy-eight people die from heroin or opioid overdoses each day. 
That has quadrupled since 1999. Now it is the leading cause of death, 
far surpassing deaths by motor vehicle accidents.
  Just last week I hosted a series of roundtable forums across my 
district to personally hear from law enforcement officers, medical 
professionals, treatment providers, local government officials, and 
those who have lost loved ones due to overdose.
  They shared with me the reality of the situation back home. Law 
enforcement has had to double its on-hand stock of Narcan, and expand 
training for police officers when it comes to these overdoses.
  Heroin is now the primary abused substance in drug court programs 
like the one in Springfield, Illinois, but those programs are at 
capacity. Treatment centers have waitlists over 40 days.
  The consensus is clear. This is a public health crisis. To end it, we 
need to do a number of things. Update medical best practices for coping 
with pain. We need to expand access to addiction specialists and 
treatment centers. We need to give law enforcement the tools they need, 
and we must continue to promote programs like drug courts.
  Because this problem is complex, it must be addressed from all 
angles, and that is precisely what we are doing in the House this week.
  This bill will address this epidemic, and the concerns I heard last 
week. It would establish a comprehensive opioid abuse reduction program 
at the Department of Justice, target Federal resources directly at the 
opioid problem, give States flexibility, and create a streamlined 
comprehensive opioid abuse grant program.
  Without raising taxes, this measure authorizes $103 million each year 
for a variety of programs, including residential substance abuse 
treatment, drug courts, training for law enforcement and first 
responders.
  The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, it is my pleasure to yield an additional 
1 minute to Mr. LaHood.
  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Chairman, this funding includes treatment for law 
enforcement and first responders, and criminal investigations for the 
unlawful distribution of these opioids.
  Opioid addiction transcends socioeconomic boundaries, racial, gender, 
regional, and educational boundaries. We need to address this crisis 
now.
  I thank my colleague, Mr. Sensenbrenner, and Chairman Goodlatte, for 
bringing this legislation forth. This is a problem that is preventable, 
and we are doing something about it this week in the Congress.
  I am proud to support this legislation. I look forward to supporting 
it.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased now to yield as much time as 
she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, it has been refreshing and important 
to listen to the many Members from all over the country discussing this 
important initiative and, more proudly, it is from the Judiciary 
Committee, which is the holder of the laws and the Constitution of this 
land. We are here indicating an admittance and a recognition that 
addiction, and opioids, and all kinds of addictions are not necessarily 
a crime, and that we do not come to this floor, in this bill, with 
mandatory minimums.
  So I want to follow up on some statements that I made on the floor 
yesterday and also in the Rules Committee concerning the contrast in 
the way we are dealing with the opioid crisis and the way we addressed 
crack cocaine in the 1980s.
  Many of those individuals from neighborhoods like mine, many of them 
still are incarcerated. And at that time, we--I was not here--Congress 
took action that we are still trying to rectify.
  At one point, more than 80 percent of the defendants sentenced for 
crack cocaine offenses were African Americans, despite the fact that 
more than 66 percent of crack users were either White or Hispanic.
  As we work on other legislation to address the enforcement and 
sentencing disparities related to crack issues, we must reexamine our 
approach to that and other drug issues. I think we are on the right 
track. I think we are being fair.
  This week, the House has been engaged in a comprehensive approach to 
addressing a serious public health crisis involving heroin and other 
opioids.
  In my earlier statement, I complimented my chairman of the full 
committee and my chairman of the subcommittee because we are working 
together.
  Overdoses and deaths involving heroin are on the rise. While law 
enforcement has an appropriate role, the bills, including H.R. 5046 
before us now, reflect a broader strategy that reflects the fact that 
this is an addiction issue.
  I know that Mr. Conyers and many others who are on this floor, Mr. 
Davis, we come from inner-city communities, and we have watched the 
young people of our community die and lose their future life through 
crack cocaine.

[[Page 5882]]

  Accordingly, we are not raising sentences or impacting mandatory 
minimums, but we are funding anti-addiction mechanisms such as 
treatment alternatives to incarceration, and we are bringing in the 
police persons, the police departments. What a great idea: criminal 
justice and substance abuse and police persons dealing with this issue 
in a non-incarceration mode.
  We are not adding to mass incarceration with all of the related and 
devastating collateral consequences but, instead, we are incentivizing 
State and local governments to prevent, treat, and heal. That is what 
we should be doing, and that is what we should have done for crack and 
cocaine addicts.
  We are learning. We understand now that we have a different pathway, 
but it is not too late. So I am saying to my colleagues here as we are 
working together, we should find a way before Congress has completed 
its work on this legislation and send a bill to the President that 
applies a more comprehensive approach, or a comprehensive approach that 
adds to this very strong foundation, including treatment alternatives 
for those who may still be suffering from crack and cocaine addiction.
  I remember signing the sentencing, the reduction bill that we had in 
2009 dealing with the crack cocaine disparities. We came together as a 
bipartisan group. So I know that these are things that we can do.
  I have had this issue and discussed it with the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Conyers), and I hope that we can work together as we move 
forward and that our colleagues can work together as we move forward to 
look at these issues because if we walk our neighborhoods today, from 
one inner city to the next, and maybe our rural communities, we will 
find those crack cocaine addicts.
  Mr. CONYERS. Will the gentlewoman yield?
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. I yield to the gentleman from Michigan.
  Mr. CONYERS. I just want the gentlewoman to know that her 
recollection of the years before, where we have come from a more narrow 
focus, more punitive, and we now are seeing a newer strategy that is 
far more useful, far more successful than before. And I want to 
congratulate her for her perseverance and determination that we will 
still get it even better under control through our looking carefully at 
the results of our activities.
  I thank the gentlewoman.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. I thank the gentleman. I look forward to working 
with all of my colleagues.
  As I finish, let me just say that today, again, I will be introducing 
the recidivism--to End Infant Mortality and Reduce Recidivism bill 
dealing with incarcerated women. Many of those women are incarcerated 
because of drug addiction issues that involve the possession or sale of 
narcotics.
  What we are attempting to do, if a baby is born in prison, we are 
attempting to recognize that they should not be separated from that 
mother, and to have some postnatal nursery situation in a pilot program 
to examine how that works, because we know that addiction, in many 
instances, has caused women to be incarcerated.
  There are many issues that we can look at, and I hope, as we work our 
way through this, we will find some solutions for those who are still 
addicted to crack cocaine and need some of the same or similar services 
that this underlying legislation has.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5046, the Comprehensive Opioid 
Abuse Reduction Act of 2016, of which I am an original cosponsor.
  I commend the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Crime, Jim 
Sensenbrenner, for his work on this bill and I also commend Chairman 
Goodlatte and Ranking Member Conyers for their ability to find common 
ground on this very important issue.
  I also note that I was a cosponsor of a similar bill that was the 
predecessor to this one, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act.
  I would have been happy to see the Committee pass that bill, but I am 
pleased that we have been able to work together to produce an 
alternative bill that will help address issues related to opioid abuse.
  I look forward to continued collaboration with my colleagues to find 
additional solutions to the drug crisis America now faces.
  We must take action because today a leading killer of Americans is 
drug overdose.
  Between 2000 and 2014, almost half a million people died from drug 
overdoses.
  Many of these deaths were preventable.
  In 2014 alone, more than 47,000 people died of drug overdoses.
  The largest percentage of overdose deaths in 2014 was attributed to 
opioids--like prescription painkillers, methadone, morphine, and 
heroin.
  Specifically, 28,647 people overdosed and died because of an opioid 
in 2014.
  We are experiencing an emergency that impacts citizens in every 
state, city, and town in this country--that is prescription painkiller 
and opioid abuse.
  This emergency is compounded due to the perilous connection between 
prescription painkillers and heroin.
  Prescription painkiller abuse is the strongest risk factor for future 
heroin use.
  Approximately three out of four new heroin users report that their 
use began with their abuse of prescription painkillers.
  Heroin use becomes appealing to those addicted to prescription 
painkillers because it is cheaper and easier to obtain.
  Due to its potency, heroin use tends to lead to addiction.
  Heroin addiction is often deadly, leading to overdose or other 
chronic diseases.
  The rate at which the occurrence of heroin overdose deaths increased 
is cause for alarm.
  In the four years between 2010 and 2014, heroin overdoses more than 
tripled.
  More than 10,500 people died from heroin overdoses in 2014.
  In 2013, more than 8,200 people died from heroin overdoses.
  In that same year, 11 million people admitted to improper use of 
prescription painkillers.
  Not only were 11 million people at risk of overdosing due to their 
abuse of prescription painkillers, 11 million people were also at high 
risk of becoming addicted to heroin--with its attendant risks and 
dangers.
  This current crisis requires an immediate and comprehensive response 
and the bill before us today is one element of a broader strategy.
  This bill will establish a grant program, to be administered by the 
Department of Justice, to assist states and local governments, 
particularly by helping criminal justice agencies to tackle the opioid 
problem from a variety of angles.
  This bill encourages the development of alternatives to incarceration 
that provide treatment as a solution to the underlying motivation for 
criminal behavior or conduct associated with mental disorders.
  We must make our best efforts to prevent individuals from moving from 
painkillers to heroin by making treatment for addicts more accessible 
by encouraging the use of evidence-based programs, such as medication-
assisted treatment.
  Life-saving overdose reversal drugs, like naloxone, are most valuable 
in the hands of trained individuals who regularly come in contact with 
individuals who are prone to drug overdoses.
  This bill will increase the use and availability of naloxone and 
other overdose reversal drugs to first responders.
  Addiction is a disease that affects the brain and eventually changes 
the behavior of addicts, causing them to experience mental health 
issues and encounter legal problems.
  Treatment is the most reasonable and effective approach to diverting 
these individuals away from homelessness and prison.
  There are also specific provisions in this bill that allow for a wide 
range of services to be offered to our veterans who tend to suffer from 
mental health issues and addiction.
  I support this bill because I believe that it will help save lives 
and prevent and treat opioid addiction.
  The approach Congress is taking with the crisis of heroin and other 
opioids is thoughtful and comprehensive.
  I hope it signals a departure from some of the failed approaches 
concerning other drug crises in the past.
  For instance, our response to the surge in crack cocaine in the 1980s 
was to enact draconian mandatory minimum penalties with vastly 
disparate treatment for crack and powder cocaine.
  Unfortunately, that exacerbated the disproportionate minority impact 
of our drug laws and their enforcement.
  Today, no matter who is suffering from the effects of illegal drugs, 
we must learn from the past and embrace new ways of addressing the 
problem.
  The bill before us today, and the approaches contained in other 
legislation passed by the Senate and introduced in the House,

[[Page 5883]]

reflect our experience in dealing with drug prevention, addiction, 
treatment, and recovery.
  While there is still work to do in Congress to address the mistakes 
of the past with respect to mandatory minimum sentences that are 
unjust, unwise and financially unsustainable, I commend my colleagues 
for embracing drug treatment, alternatives to incarceration, and 
improved training to first responders and the criminal justice system 
on how to put substance abusers on a better path.
  With those considerations in mind, and a hopeful note about the 
progress we are making in our approach to these issues, I ask that my 
colleagues join me in voting in favor of this important bill.
  I want to follow up on my earlier statement concerning the contrast 
in the way we are dealing with the opioid crisis and the way we 
addressed crack cocaine in the 1980s.
  At that time, we Congress took action that we are still trying to 
rectify.
  At one point, more than 80% of the defendants sentenced for crack 
offenses were African American, despite the fact that more than 66% of 
crack users are white or Hispanic.
  As we work on other legislation to address the enforcement and 
sentencing disparities related to the crack issue, we must re-examine 
our approach to that and other drug issues.
  This week, the House has been engaged in a comprehensive approach to 
addressing a serious public health crisis involving heroin and other 
opioids.
  Overdoses and deaths involving heroin are on the rise.
  While law enforcement has an appropriate role and the bills' 
recognize that, the bills--including H.R. 5046 before us now--reflect a 
broader strategy that reflects the fact that this is an addiction 
issue.
  Accordingly, we are not raising sentences or impacting mandatory 
minimums but we are funding anti-addiction mechanisms such as treatment 
alternatives to incarceration.
  We are not adding to mass incarceration--with all of the related and 
devastating collateral consequences--but instead we are incentivizing 
state and local governments to prevent, treat, and heal.
  That is what we should be doing, and that is what we should have done 
for crack and cocaine addicts.
  But it is not too late--we should find a way, before Congress has 
completed its work on this legislation and sends a bill to the 
President, to apply this more comprehensive approach, including 
treatment alternatives, to those suffering from crack and cocaine 
addiction.
  I urge my colleagues to work with me to do this.
  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 5046, the 
Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act.
  Addiction affects people from all walks of life. It is not confined 
to people of certain races, classes, and ages. Its broad reach is 
perhaps what makes it so terrifying.
  Prescription drug abuse and alarming increases in heroin abuse have 
gripped our country and it is past time for it to grip the attention of 
the Congress.
  I was proud to vote for many great bills this week to improve the 
prevention and treatment of substance abuse, particularly opioid abuse.
  While all of these bills, including the one before us today, address 
many aspects of this complex issue, we need to be honest and admit that 
in order to truly address this problem, we have to invest funding in 
it.
  There are already many programs in place that are successful in 
preventing and treating substance abuse, but they are underfunded. We 
need to change that.
  As we embark on the Fiscal Year 2017 appropriations process, I urge 
my colleagues to keep this mind.
  Substance abuse destroys families, friendships, our communities, and 
virtually everything else in its path. The time to act is now.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I am prepared to yield back after 
the gentleman from Michigan yields back.
  I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1330

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Members of the Committee, we have had a very interesting and 
important discussion. As an original cosponsor of H.R. 5046, we see 
more clearly how it will provide critical grants to prevent and treat 
opioid abuse and addictions, and, most importantly, because it will 
help save lives.
  So, in closing, I want to commend my colleagues on the Judiciary 
Committee in particular for their work on this measure, starting with 
our chairman, Mr. Goodlatte, and our subcommittee chairman, Jim 
Sensenbrenner, for his extraordinary leadership in crafting this 
important bill, and, of course, our gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson 
Lee) for her continuing vigilance to improve our approaches towards 
dealing with this opioid abuse and addiction challenge.
  This bill before us has the power to fortify America's fight against 
the opioid epidemic. I am extremely proud to not only support it, but I 
urge all of my colleagues to join with me.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. Chairman, let me say I appreciate the huge, bipartisan support 
that this legislation has attracted.
  I have been working on legislation to deal with Department of Justice 
grants in the opioid addiction area for over 2 years. It took a while, 
and, unfortunately, it took the expansion of a problem into an epidemic 
to show this Congress that we have to act, we have to act 
comprehensively, and we have to act in a manner that actually goes down 
to our communities to help out those communities and, more importantly, 
the people who are addicted and their families.
  The package of bills that the House has debated yesterday and is 
debating today does exactly that. For those who criticize Congress for 
not doing anything, this is something that is probably going to have a 
very, very meaningful impact on the lives and livelihoods of people who 
have gotten hooked on something, and it gives them a way out in a 
compassionate and effective manner.
  Let me say I am not sure that the American public is going to realize 
the importance of what we are doing today, because I see the wide-open 
spaces in the press gallery above the Speaker's rostrum. I think that 
is unfortunate because this is something, number one, that is 
important; number two, it will help people; number three, it is 
bipartisan, which shows very clearly that we don't spend all of our 
time here arguing and fighting amongst ourselves; and number four, it 
is bicameral. This is Congress the way it should work and the way it is 
working in a lot more cases than many in the American public think it 
is.
  So I guess my message to everybody today is, number one, we are doing 
our job, and we are doing our job with this legislation in a vitally 
important manner to help turn some lives around and to prevent tragedy; 
and number two, the fact that we can get together to deal with a 
national problem in a bipartisan manner shows that we take our job 
seriously, whether we sit on the Democratic side of the aisle or the 
Republican side of our aisle, and we are rising to the occasion.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania). All time for general 
debate has expired.
  Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be considered for amendment 
under the 5-minute rule.
  It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose 
of amendment under the 5-minute rule an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 114-52. That 
amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read.
  The text of the amendment in the nature of a substitute is as 
follows:

                               H.R. 5046

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Comprehensive Opioid Abuse 
     Reduction Act of 2016''.

     SEC. 2. COMPREHENSIVE OPIOID ABUSE GRANT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and 
     Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3711 et seq.) is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:

          ``PART LL--COMPREHENSIVE OPIOID ABUSE GRANT PROGRAM

     ``SEC. 3021. DESCRIPTION.

       ``(a) Grants Authorized.--From amounts made available to 
     carry out this part, the Attorney General may make grants to 
     States, units of local government, and Indian tribes, for use 
     by the State, unit of local government, or Indian

[[Page 5884]]

     tribe to provide services primarily relating to opioid abuse, 
     including for any one or more of the following:
       ``(1) Developing, implementing, or expanding a treatment 
     alternative to incarceration program, which may include--
       ``(A) pre-booking or post-booking components, which may 
     include the activities described in part HH of this title;
       ``(B) training for criminal justice agency personnel on 
     substance use disorders and co-occurring mental illness and 
     substance use disorders;
       ``(C) a mental health court, including the activities 
     described in part V of this title;
       ``(D) a drug court, including the activities described in 
     part EE of this title; and
       ``(E) a veterans treatment court program, including the 
     activities described in subsection (i) of section 2991 of 
     this title.
       ``(2) In the case of a State, facilitating or enhancing 
     planning and collaboration between State criminal justice 
     agencies and State substance abuse systems in order to more 
     efficiently and effectively carry out programs described in 
     paragraph (1) that address problems related to opioid abuse.
       ``(3) Providing training and resources for first responders 
     on carrying and administering an opioid overdose reversal 
     drug or device approved by the Food and Drug Administration, 
     and purchasing such a drug or device for first responders who 
     have received such training to carry and administer.
       ``(4) Investigative purposes to locate or investigate 
     illicit activities related to the unlawful distribution of 
     opioids.
       ``(5) Developing, implementing, or expanding a medication-
     assisted treatment program used or operated by a criminal 
     justice agency, which may include training criminal justice 
     agency personnel on medication-assisted treatment, and 
     carrying out the activities described in part S of this 
     title.
       ``(6) In the case of a State, developing, implementing, or 
     expanding a prescription drug monitoring program to collect 
     and analyze data related to the prescribing of schedule II, 
     III, and IV controlled substances through a centralized 
     database administered by an authorized State agency, which 
     includes tracking the dispensation of such substances, and 
     providing for data sharing with other States.
       ``(7) Developing, implementing, or expanding a program to 
     prevent and address opioid abuse by juveniles.
       ``(8) Developing, implementing, or expanding an integrated 
     and comprehensive opioid abuse response program.
       ``(b) Contracts and Subawards.--A State, unit of local 
     government, or Indian tribe may, in using a grant under this 
     subpart for purposes authorized by subsection (a), use all or 
     a portion of that grant to contract with or make one or more 
     subawards to one or more--
       ``(1) local or regional organizations that are private and 
     nonprofit, including faith-based organizations;
       ``(2) units of local government; or
       ``(3) tribal organizations.
       ``(c) Program Assessment Component; Waiver.--
       ``(1) Program assessment component.--Each program funded 
     under this subpart shall contain a program assessment 
     component, developed pursuant to guidelines established by 
     the Attorney General, in coordination with the National 
     Institute of Justice.
       ``(2) Waiver.--The Attorney General may waive the 
     requirement of paragraph (1) with respect to a program if, in 
     the opinion of the Attorney General, the program is not of 
     sufficient size to justify a full program assessment.
       ``(d) Administrative Costs.--Not more than 10 percent of a 
     grant made under this subpart may be used for costs incurred 
     to administer such grant.
       ``(e) Period.--The period of a grant made under this part 
     may not be longer than 4 years, except that renewals and 
     extensions beyond that period may be granted at the 
     discretion of the Attorney General.

     ``SEC. 3022. APPLICATIONS.

       ``To request a grant under this part, the chief executive 
     officer of a State, unit of local government, or Indian tribe 
     shall submit an application to the Attorney General at such 
     time and in such form as the Attorney General may require. 
     Such application shall include the following:
       ``(1) A certification that Federal funds made available 
     under this subpart will not be used to supplant State, local, 
     or tribal funds, but will be used to increase the amounts of 
     such funds that would, in the absence of Federal funds, be 
     made available for the activities described in section 
     3021(a).
       ``(2) An assurance that, for each fiscal year covered by an 
     application, the applicant shall maintain and report such 
     data, records, and information (programmatic and financial) 
     as the Attorney General may reasonably require.
       ``(3) A certification, made in a form acceptable to the 
     Attorney General and executed by the chief executive officer 
     of the applicant (or by another officer of the applicant, if 
     qualified under regulations promulgated by the Attorney 
     General), that--
       ``(A) the programs to be funded by the grant meet all the 
     requirements of this part;
       ``(B) all the information contained in the application is 
     correct;
       ``(C) there has been appropriate coordination with affected 
     agencies; and
       ``(D) the applicant will comply with all provisions of this 
     part and all other applicable Federal laws.
       ``(4) An assurance that the applicant will work with the 
     Drug Enforcement Administration to develop an integrated and 
     comprehensive strategy to address opioid abuse.

     ``SEC. 3023. REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS.

       ``The Attorney General shall not finally disapprove any 
     application (or any amendment to that application) submitted 
     under this part without first affording the applicant 
     reasonable notice of any deficiencies in the application and 
     opportunity for correction and reconsideration.

     ``SEC. 3024. GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY.

       ``The Attorney General shall ensure equitable geographic 
     distribution of grants under this part and take into 
     consideration the needs of underserved populations, including 
     rural and tribal communities.

     ``SEC. 3025. DEFINITIONS.

       ``In this part:
       ``(1) The term `first responder' includes a firefighter, 
     law enforcement officer, paramedic, emergency medical 
     technician, or other individual (including an employee of a 
     legally organized and recognized volunteer organization, 
     whether compensated or not), who, in the course of 
     professional duties, responds to fire, medical, hazardous 
     material, or other similar emergencies.
       ``(2) The term `medication-assisted treatment' means the 
     use of medications approved by the Food and Drug 
     Administration for the treatment of opioid abuse.
       ``(3) The term `opioid' means any drug, including heroin, 
     having an addiction-forming or addiction-sustaining liability 
     similar to morphine or being capable of conversion into a 
     drug having such addiction-forming or addiction-sustaining 
     liability.
       ``(4) The term `schedule II, III, or IV controlled 
     substance' means a controlled substance that is listed on 
     schedule II, schedule III, or schedule IV of section 202(c) 
     of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812(c)).
       ``(5) The terms `drug' and `device' have the meanings given 
     those terms in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and 
     Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
       ``(6) The term `criminal justice agency' means a State, 
     local, or tribal--
       ``(A) court;
       ``(B) prison;
       ``(C) jail;
       ``(D) law enforcement agency; or
       ``(E) other agency that performs the administration of 
     criminal justice, including prosecution, pretrial services, 
     and community supervision.
       ``(7) The term `tribal organization' has the meaning given 
     that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
     Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 1001(a) of 
     the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 
     U.S.C. 3793(a)) is amended by inserting after paragraph (26) 
     the following:
       ``(27) There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
     part LL $103,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2017 through 
     2021.''.

     SEC. 3. AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF GRANTEES.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section--
       (1) the term ``covered grant program'' means a grant 
     program operated by the Department of Justice;
       (2) the term ``covered grantee'' means a recipient of a 
     grant from a covered grant program;
       (3) the term ``nonprofit'', when used with respect to an 
     organization, means an organization that is described in 
     section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and 
     is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code; 
     and
       (4) the term ``unresolved audit finding'' means an audit 
     report finding in a final audit report of the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Justice that a covered grantee 
     has used grant funds awarded to that grantee under a covered 
     grant program for an unauthorized expenditure or otherwise 
     unallowable cost that is not closed or resolved during a 12-
     month period prior to the date on which the final audit 
     report is issued.
       (b) Audit Requirement.--Beginning in fiscal year 2016, and 
     annually thereafter, the Inspector General of the Department 
     of Justice shall conduct audits of covered grantees to 
     prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of funds awarded under 
     covered grant programs. The Inspector General shall determine 
     the appropriate number of covered grantees to be audited each 
     year.
       (c) Mandatory Exclusion.--A grantee that is found to have 
     an unresolved audit finding under an audit conducted under 
     subsection (b) may not receive grant funds under a covered 
     grant program in the fiscal year following the fiscal year to 
     which the finding relates.
       (d) Reimbursement.--If a covered grantee is awarded funds 
     under the covered grant program from which it received a 
     grant award during the 1-fiscal-year period during which the 
     covered grantee is ineligible for an allocation of grant 
     funds under subsection (c), the Attorney General shall--
       (1) deposit into the General Fund of the Treasury an amount 
     that is equal to the amount of the grant funds that were 
     improperly awarded to the covered grantee; and
       (2) seek to recoup the costs of the repayment to the Fund 
     from the covered grantee that was improperly awarded the 
     grant funds.
       (e) Priority of Grant Awards.--The Attorney General, in 
     awarding grants under a covered grant program shall give 
     priority to eligible entities that during the 2-year period 
     preceding the application for a grant have not been found to 
     have an unresolved audit finding.
       (f) Nonprofit Requirements.--
       (1) Prohibition.--A nonprofit organization that holds money 
     in offshore accounts for the

[[Page 5885]]

     purpose of avoiding the tax described in section 511(a) of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, shall not be eligible to 
     receive, directly or indirectly, any funds from a covered 
     grant program.
       (2) Disclosure.--Each nonprofit organization that is a 
     covered grantee shall disclose in its application for such a 
     grant, as a condition of receipt of such a grant, the 
     compensation of its officers, directors, and trustees. Such 
     disclosure shall include a description of the criteria relied 
     on to determine such compensation.

     SEC. 4. VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS.

       Section 2991 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets 
     Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3797aa) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (i) as subsection (j); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (h) the following:
       ``(i) Assisting Veterans.--
       ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       ``(A) Peer to peer services or programs.--The term `peer to 
     peer services or programs' means services or programs that 
     connect qualified veterans with other veterans for the 
     purpose of providing support and mentorship to assist 
     qualified veterans in obtaining treatment, recovery, 
     stabilization, or rehabilitation.
       ``(B) Qualified veteran.--The term `qualified veteran' 
     means a preliminarily qualified offender who--
       ``(i) served on active duty in any branch of the Armed 
     Forces, including the National Guard or Reserves; and
       ``(ii) was discharged or released from such service under 
     conditions other than dishonorable.
       ``(C) Veterans treatment court program.--The term `veterans 
     treatment court program' means a court program involving 
     collaboration among criminal justice, veterans, and mental 
     health and substance abuse agencies that provides qualified 
     veterans with--
       ``(i) intensive judicial supervision and case management, 
     which may include random and frequent drug testing where 
     appropriate;
       ``(ii) a full continuum of treatment services, including 
     mental health services, substance abuse services, medical 
     services, and services to address trauma;
       ``(iii) alternatives to incarceration; or
       ``(iv) other appropriate services, including housing, 
     transportation, mentoring, employment, job training, 
     education, or assistance in applying for and obtaining 
     available benefits.
       ``(2) Veterans assistance program.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Attorney General, in consultation 
     with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, may award grants 
     under this subsection to applicants to establish or expand--
       ``(i) veterans treatment court programs;
       ``(ii) peer to peer services or programs for qualified 
     veterans;
       ``(iii) practices that identify and provide treatment, 
     rehabilitation, legal, transitional, and other appropriate 
     services to qualified veterans who have been incarcerated; or
       ``(iv) training programs to teach criminal justice, law 
     enforcement, corrections, mental health, and substance abuse 
     personnel how to identify and appropriately respond to 
     incidents involving qualified veterans.
       ``(B) Priority.--In awarding grants under this subsection, 
     the Attorney General shall give priority to applications 
     that--
       ``(i) demonstrate collaboration between and joint 
     investments by criminal justice, mental health, substance 
     abuse, and veterans service agencies;
       ``(ii) promote effective strategies to identify and reduce 
     the risk of harm to qualified veterans and public safety; and
       ``(iii) propose interventions with empirical support to 
     improve outcomes for qualified veterans.''.

     SEC. 5. EMERGENCY FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE.

       Section 609Y(a) of the Justice Assistance Act of 1984 (42 
     U.S.C. 10513(a)) is amended by striking ``September 30, 
     1984'' and inserting ``September 30, 2021''.

  The Acting CHAIR. No amendment to that amendment in the nature of a 
substitute shall be in order except those printed in part B of House 
Report 114-551. Each such amendment may be offered only in the order 
printed in the report, by a Member designated in the report, shall be 
considered read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the 
report, equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an 
opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject 
to a demand for division of the question.


                 Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mr. Donovan

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 1 
printed in part B of House Report 114-551.
  Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 2, line 6, strike ``part HH'' and insert ``part DD or 
     HH''.
       Add at the end of the bill the following:

     SEC. 6. INCLUSION OF SERVICES FOR PREGNANT WOMEN UNDER 
                   FAMILY-BASED SUBSTANCE ABUSE GRANTS.

       Part DD of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe 
     Streets Act (42 U.S.C. 3797s et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 2921(2), by inserting before the period at 
     the end ``or pregnant women''; and
       (2) in section 2927--
       (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``pregnant or'' 
     before ``a parent''; and
       (B) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``or pregnant women'' 
     after ``incarcerated parents''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 720, the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Donovan) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
  Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the amendment 
offered by myself and Mr. Turner. This amendment expands eligibility 
for existing family-based substance abuse treatment grants to include 
pregnant women.
  In New York State alone, over 1,700 pregnant women pass through our 
corrections system each year. On any given day, there are 12 to 15 
pregnant women in New York State prisons and 110 in local jails, and 
many of these women are coming in with drug addictions that pose harm 
to not only themselves, but to their unborn children.
  States across the country have passed laws and implemented programs 
to provide community and family-based alternatives to incarceration for 
nonviolent parent offenders. However, State programs targeting 
offenders who are parents-to-be are not currently eligible for grants. 
This peculiarity makes it difficult for States to develop programs 
addressing the particularly vulnerable population of nonviolent 
pregnant offenders. This amendment would make clear that such funding 
could be provided to States to develop and expand family-based 
substance abuse treatment programs that focus on expectant mothers.
  When a drug-addicted pregnant woman comes through the criminal 
justice system, we make every effort to help that expectant mother beat 
her drug addiction both for herself and for her child.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Turner), my friend and cosponsor of this amendment.
  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank my colleague from New 
York (Mr. Donovan) for yielding and for his work on this amendment, 
which I am proud to cosponsor.
  Mr. Chairman, the purpose of this amendment is simple: increase 
access to substance abuse treatment for pregnant women. We accomplish 
this by making clear that States receiving grants from an existing 
Department of Justice program may use them to provide family-based 
treatment.
  Currently, nonviolent mothers and fathers have access to family- and 
community-based substance abuse treatment options that help keep their 
families together, and that should be true for expectant mothers as 
well. Our amendment would help provide this access to the 60 pregnant 
women in Ohio State prisons last month and countless others across the 
country, all of whom are ineligible for it today.
  I have met with doctors, nurses, hospitals, law enforcement, and 
treatment professionals, and have seen firsthand the devastating 
effects that heroin and opioid abuse have inflicted on pregnant women 
and newborns in my own southwest Ohio community. In December of 2013, I 
toured Soin Medical Center in Beavercreek, Ohio, and discussed the 
concerning trend the hospital was observing: increasing numbers of 
infants born addicted to opiates.
  At the Dayton Children's Hospital neonatal intensive care unit, I 
witnessed the hardship that heroin and opioid addiction inflicts on 
both women and their babies. I met with mothers struggling with 
substance abuse who had given birth to infants who had become addicted 
in the womb. I watched newborns just starting their lives suffering 
through the painful symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome.
  At the Women's Recovery Center in Xenia, Ohio, I spoke to young women 
participating in opiate abuse intervention and treatment programs. One 
former heroin user I spoke to shared with me her story about how the 
intervention and treatment she received at

[[Page 5886]]

the center allowed her to overcome her addiction before giving birth to 
her son.
  It is vital that we provide women access to this treatment--for their 
own health and for the health of the children that they will bring into 
the world.
  Mr. Chairman, I urge adoption of this amendment.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, 
although I do not oppose the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentlewoman from Texas is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, let me congratulate the proponents of 
the amendment and indicate to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Donovan) 
that I think many of us are on the same page.
  The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act authorizes the 
Attorney General to make grants to State and local governments for 
prison-based family substance abuse treatment programs for the 
incarcerated parents of minor children.
  These programs can provide a comprehensive response to the needs of 
incarcerated parents of minor children, not only substance abuse 
treatment, but also a range of family-related services. These can 
include child early intervention services, family counseling, medical 
care, mental health services, parental skills training, pediatric care, 
physical therapy, and prenatal care.
  The importance of the value of these programs to pregnant women who 
find themselves incarcerated as well as to women who are already 
mothers is beyond dispute. We want to give our children--no matter who 
they are and where they are born in this country--a great and wonderful 
pathway to success. This amendment makes pregnant women equally 
eligible to participate in such programs.
  As indicated earlier on the floor today, I am planning to introduce 
the Stop Infant Mortality and Recidivism Reduction Act of 2016, which 
is to respond to women who have children while they are incarcerated, 
to provide them with some sort of support system where their babies are 
not separated from them. Those babies may be born addicted. I think it 
is important that this amendment looks at those pregnant women who may 
be incarcerated; and in this instance, this looks at pregnant women to 
provide them alternatives. It can be of tremendous benefit to these 
mothers-to-be as well as their children and families.
  This effort has my wholehearted support, and I strongly urge my 
colleagues to support this amendment to the underlying bill.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
distinguished gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner).
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding 
and commend him for offering this amendment.
  The amendment makes reasonable and appropriate changes to the Justice 
Department's Family-Based Substance Abuse Treatment Program, a program 
authorized under the Second Chance Act. The program supports State and 
local government agencies and federally recognized Indian tribes in 
establishing or enhancing residential substance abuse treatment 
programs in correctional facilities that include recovery of family 
supportive services. This amendment ensures that the program's 
definition of an incarcerated parent with minor children includes 
pregnant women.
  As a person who believes life begins at conception, I believe it is 
entirely appropriate for this program to provide services to pregnant 
women to meet their unique needs and those of their unborn children.
  Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.
  Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Donovan).
  The amendment was agreed to.


       Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 2 
printed in part B of House Report 114-551.
  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at 
the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 2, line 14, strike ``and''.
       Page 2, line 17, strike the period at the end and insert 
     ``; and''.
       Page 2, after line 17, insert the following:
       ``(F) a focus on parents whose incarceration could result 
     in their children entering the child welfare system.''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 720, the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. Danny K. Davis) and a Member opposed each will 
control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to join 
with my colleague from Indiana, Representative Todd Young, in offering 
our amendment to strengthen families by addressing parental substance 
abuse and decreasing the number of children entering foster care.
  Our amendment is common sense. It simply allows the CARA substance 
abuse treatment diversion grants to focus on parents whose 
incarceration could result in their children entering foster care.
  I am deeply troubled that almost 8 percent of children placed into 
foster care each year enter due to parental incarceration. This is 
approximately 20,000 young children every year. In some States like 
Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, and South Dakota, over 20 percent of children 
enter foster care due to parent incarceration.
  We also know that substance abuse underlies a substantial percentage 
of child welfare cases.

                              {time}  1345

  Aside from neglect, alcohol or other drug use is the number one 
reason for removal from the home. In 2014, over 77,000 youth were 
removed from their homes due to drug abuse.
  What is exciting is that we have strong, empirical evidence that 
working with parents experiencing substance abuse significantly helps 
children and families experience fewer days in foster care, higher 
reunification rates, less recurrence of child maltreatment, and better 
permanency over time.
  Neither the Senate nor the House CARA bill addresses this critical 
intersection of criminal justice, substance abuse, and foster care. 
Yet, this intersection underlies the surging numbers in both the 
judicial and child welfare systems.
  The Annie E. Casey Foundation, an amazing champion for foster youth, 
just released a report 2 weeks ago that recommended that judges 
consider the impact on kids and families when making sentencing and 
confinement decisions.
  Our amendment is necessary to demonstrate congressional intent that 
the Department of Justice improve our judicial system to decrease the 
horrible family impact of incarceration that swells our child welfare 
system and undermines child well-being.
  That is why over a dozen key child welfare advocates support our 
amendment, including the American Public Human Services Association, 
the American Psychological Association, Children's Defense Fund, 
Children's Home Society of America, Child Welfare League of America, 
National Association of Counsel for Children, National Foster Family-
Based Treatment Association, National Foster Parent Association, North 
American Council on Adoptable Children, Ray E. Helfer Society, Voice 
for Adoption, and Zero to Three.
  I urge support of our amendment that will do much to strengthen 
families and improve child welfare.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to claim the 
time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman 
from Wisconsin?

[[Page 5887]]

  There was no objection.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for offering 
this amendment, and I support it.
  The opioid epidemic has victimized countless Americans, including the 
most vulnerable among us--our children. We are all aware of the grim 
statistics surrounding prescription opioid abuse by teenagers. However, 
a young child who loses a parent to addiction is also a victim that 
needs our help.
  I support this effort, which will promote family unity while holding 
certain offenders accountable and ensuring community safety.
  I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume 
to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Young).
  Mr. YOUNG of Indiana. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from 
Illinois for introducing this amendment, shedding light on one of the 
most vulnerable populations affected by this national opioid epidemic: 
our children.
  As communities, non-profits, and policymakers search for solutions to 
address this harrowing drug epidemic, it is essential that we not lose 
sight of the children whose lives have been fundamentally and forever 
altered by this nationwide crisis.
  Kids across the country are having their lives turned upside down. 
They are watching parents taken into custody. They are forced to leave 
homes, wondering whether they will ever be able to see their father or 
mother again. These are things children shouldn't have to worry about 
and shouldn't have to go through.
  The national opioid epidemic has hit my home State of Indiana 
particularly hard. A small Hoosier community of 4,300 was catapulted 
into the spotlight last spring. We had over 190 Hoosiers diagnosed with 
HIV primarily due to intravenous drug use. It is a tragedy the CDC has 
cited as one of the worst documented HIV outbreaks among users in the 
past 2 decades.
  This localized epidemic, similar to others across the country, is 
linked to the use of a powerful painkiller, a very highly addictive 
opiate.
  In addressing this nationwide problem, we are going to have to 
overcome the negative stigmas of drug addiction. We need to treat these 
individuals--and I say this literally--treat them as patients who need 
our encouragement and our support to get well.
  That is what this amendment accomplishes. Under this amendment, 
thousands of children who would otherwise see their parent destined for 
a prison cell will instead see the parent they love and depend on get 
the treatment they need.
  The need for this amendment is urgent. The Indiana Department of 
Child Services estimates 2,600 children had to be removed from homes 
due to parental drug abuse in just a 6-month period that ended last 
March. That is a 71 percent jump from 2 years earlier.
  We, as legislators, have a real responsibility to look out for these 
children.
  When States develop a substance abuse treatment program that can be 
an alternative to incarceration, this amendment allows them to focus on 
treating parents whose incarceration could result in their children 
languishing in an overwhelmed child welfare system. More than a dozen 
child welfare organizations support this bipartisan endeavor.
  I want to thank Mr. Davis, as I close here, and his staff for 
collaborating with me and Jaymi Light in my office in order to ensure 
that we can help this vulnerable population.
  I ask my colleagues to support the amendment and help us ensure our 
most vulnerable children are no longer caught up in this epidemic.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Danny K. Davis).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 3 Offered by Ms. DelBene

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 3 
printed in part B of House Report 114-551.
  Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 2, line 14, strike ``and''.
       Page 2, line 17, strike the period at the end and insert 
     ``; and''.
       Page 2, after line 17, insert the following:
       ``(F) a community-based substance use diversion program 
     sponsored by a law enforcement agency.''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 720, the gentlewoman 
from Washington (Ms. DelBene) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Washington.
  Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer a simple clarifying 
amendment to ensure that State, local, and tribal governments can 
develop and implement community-based programs that have demonstrated 
success in reducing recidivism and getting people the help that they 
need. I am hopeful everyone in this Chamber can support it.
  The growing epidemic of heroin use and prescription drug abuse is 
having a devastating effect on the health and safety of our families 
and our communities both in my home State of Washington and across the 
country.
  The problem has become so severe that adults in the United States are 
now more likely to die from a drug overdose than a car accident. With 
more than 120 deaths occurring from drug overdoses in this country 
every day--more than half of which are from prescription drugs--it is 
clearer than ever that Congress must take action.
  That is why I am so pleased to see my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle coming together to combat the epidemic of addiction. This 
legislation represents an important first step. It authorizes much-
needed funding for the opioid abuse reduction programs that will expand 
substance abuse prevention and intervention efforts, boost resources 
for law enforcement officers and first responders to administer 
overdose reversal drugs, improve substance abuse treatment for 
individuals in the criminal justice system, and help prevent the 
illegal distribution of opioids in our streets.
  Among the programs authorized under the bill are treatment 
alternative to incarceration programs, an important tool for law 
enforcement agencies in the fight against opioid abuse. My amendment 
simply clarifies that this provision includes a model with demonstrated 
success in Seattle and King County.
  First launched in 2011, the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion 
program, or LEAD, is a community-based pilot program that offers a 
helping hand rather than jail time for those suffering from substance 
abuse.
  According to an initial study, it successfully reduces recidivism by 
as much as 60 percent. Other cities have taken notice, with Santa Fe 
and Albany already working to implement the model in their communities.
  Instead of arresting and prosecuting low-level drug offenders, we 
should be supporting successful programs like LEAD that direct them to 
the community-based services and help that they need.
  My amendment will do just that. It will ensure resources are 
available to expand successful models that are already working and make 
a meaningful difference in addressing this crisis.
  I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to claim the 
time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman 
from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.

[[Page 5888]]


  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman from 
Washington for offering this amendment, and I support it.
  This amendment clarifies that grant monies authorized by H.R. 5046 
can be used to fund community-based substance abuse diversion programs 
sponsored by law enforcement agencies.
  There are a variety of programs across the country administered by 
State and local law enforcement and prosecuting agencies that offer 
diversion to drug treatment and other services as an alternative to 
incarceration.
  In my home State of Wisconsin, Treatment Alternatives and Diversion, 
or TAD, programs ``offer offenders the opportunity to enter and do 
voluntary substance abuse treatment, case management, and other risk 
reduction services as a safe alternative to jail or prison confinement. 
Diverting nonviolent offenders into substance abuse treatment keeps 
them out of jail and correctional facilities, thereby saving bed space 
and taxpayer dollars, as well as treating the underlying addiction that 
may have influenced the commission of a crime or may contribute to 
future criminal behavior.''
  These are precisely the types of treatment alternatives to 
incarceration programs that I believe should be eligible for funding 
through this new Department of Justice grant.
  I thank the gentlewoman from Washington for working with us on 
drafting the amendment.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in support of it.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson).
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman. I rise 
in support of her amendment. I also rise to state my unyielding support 
for the underlying legislation introduced by my friend, Jim 
Sensenbrenner from Wisconsin, literally an institution of statutory 
production in the halls of this Congress. I appreciate it.
  This DelBene amendment would enable States and local governments to 
use grant monies for treatment alternatives to incarceration programs, 
including community-based abuse diversion programs sponsored by a law 
enforcement agency.
  H.R. 5046 authorizes the attorney general to make grants to State and 
local governments for the development, expansion, or implementation of 
opioid abuse treatment programs as an alternative to incarceration. 
This amendment would expand eligibility for such grants to community-
based substance abuse diversion programs sponsored by a law enforcement 
agency.
  The cooperation and involvement of local law enforcement agencies is 
an important component in any comprehensive effort to combat opioid 
abuse. Diversion programs can play a key role in improving outcomes and 
rehabilitating opioid drug offenders.
  Diversion programs also benefit law enforcement by conserving law 
enforcement resources, judicial and penal resources, while enabling 
police agencies and courts to focus on drug traffickers and other 
serious criminals.
  Based on those facts, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. DelBene).
  The amendment was agreed to.


               Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mr. DeSaulnier

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 4 
printed in part B of House Report 114-551.
  Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 3, line 21, insert after ``providing for'' the 
     following: ``interoperability and''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 720, the gentleman 
from California (Mr. DeSaulnier) and a Member opposed each will control 
5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.

                              {time}  1400

  Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chairman, let me say how happy I am to be here in 
a bipartisan spirit on this important issue of the opioid epidemic in 
this country.
  I rise, obviously, to support this particular amendment, and I thank 
my colleague from Georgia (Mr. Carter) for being a partner in this 
effort.
  Our amendment simply clarifies that grants authorized under this bill 
may be used to develop multi-State interoperable Prescription Drug 
Monitoring Programs. PDMPs are one of the most important tools in the 
fight against prescription drug abuse.
  All of us come here today from separate starting points. For me, like 
many others, it was because of parents of children who were lost to 
this epidemic.
  Bob and Carmen Pack were constituents in an affluent suburb of San 
Francisco, which is in my district and is formerly in my State 
legislative district, who took their two young children, Troy and Alana 
Pack, out for a walk to the local ice cream shop for a treat on a 
beautiful Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, a woman, who was later 
convicted of abusing and doctor shopping for opioids and also of using 
alcohol, swerved across the street, killing Troy and Alana and almost 
killing Carmen Pack, who was expecting at the time. Fortunately, she 
survived and had a child.
  Bob, a software engineer, proceeded to put his energies into updating 
the California PDMP to make it electronic, to make usable in realtime, 
and to make it effective in trying to control opioid addictions. He 
partnered with multiple attorneys general in California to see this 
effected.
  As a State senator, I was able to partner with them to institute a 
program and fully fund CURES, the California PDMP that allows for the 
realtime monitoring of prescriptions. It went from 13,000 users in the 
course of a year to over 200,000 users, and it is now fully 
implemented.
  One of the weak points of the CURE system in California is its 
inability to communicate with other systems as they are developed 
around the country and the ability for people who abuse these products, 
including organized crimes, to go to other States. So it is important 
at this point, as States start to develop these sophisticated but very 
cost-effective systems, that we establish them in such a way that they 
are interoperable.
  While doctors and pharmacies work hard to prevent anyone from filling 
unneeded orders, it is more difficult to stop doctor shopping by 
individuals who visit multiple doctors and pharmacists in an attempt to 
obtain more opioids. Some individuals who are addicted will cross State 
lines--and, obviously, organized crime will do so--to avoid their 
States' prescription drug monitoring systems. Unfortunately, many State 
programs are not interoperable with neighboring States and do not 
coordinate and share this information effectively.
  To improve the success of these programs, our amendment explicitly 
states that these funds can be used to promote interoperability and 
data sharing between States. Our amendment is a small step towards 
improving existing systems, and it will help States better understand 
patterns of interstate drug trafficking.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to claim the 
time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Westmoreland). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Virginia is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I thank the gentleman from California and the gentleman from Georgia 
for offering this amendment.

[[Page 5889]]

  This amendment makes a small but important change to H.R. 5046 to 
clarify that grants can be used to improve the interoperability of 
Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, or PDMPs, which are a valuable 
tool in combating the opioid epidemic and have been established across 
the country. This amendment will help medical practitioners see what 
potentially dangerous medications a patient has received in another 
State before writing a prescription.
  I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I 
thank him for his support of what I consider to be a very important 
amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment to H.R. 5046 
because Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs and their effectiveness 
are key to fighting prescription drug abuse in this country.
  As a lifelong pharmacist and as the author of the Georgia 
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program while I was a member of the 
Georgia General Assembly, I believe PDMPs are one of the most important 
tools in the fight against prescription drug abuse. To increase the 
success of these programs throughout the country, interoperability and 
data sharing between States is paramount.
  I commend Chairman Goodlatte and the Judiciary Committee for their 
work on this bill; but to continue the growth and the success of PDMPs, 
interoperability should be included in any discussion to improve these 
systems so States can better share information about patients and the 
patterns that occur with interstate prescription drug trafficking.
  I thank the gentleman from California for his work on this important 
issue, and I encourage my colleagues to support this commonsense 
amendment.
  Mr. DeSAULNIER. I thank Mr. Carter and my colleagues on the other 
side of the aisle for supporting this commonsense amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support the 
amendment.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. DeSaulnier).
  The amendment was agreed to.


           Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mr. Bishop of Michigan

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 5 
printed in part B of House Report 114-551.
  Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the 
desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 4, after line 3, insert the following:
       ``(9) Developing, implementing, or expanding a program 
     (which may include demonstration projects) to utilize 
     technology that provides a secure container for prescription 
     drugs that would prevent individuals, particularly 
     adolescents, from gaining access to opioid medications that 
     are lawfully prescribed for other individuals.''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 720, the gentleman 
from Michigan (Mr. Bishop) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.
  Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. I thank the chairman of the Judiciary 
Committee, Chairman Goodlatte, and Mr. Sensenbrenner, the chairman of 
the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and 
Investigations, for their leadership in bringing this bill to the floor 
today.
  Mr. Chairman, I am also pleased to be here in the spirit of 
bipartisanship because, as you all know, this problem affects all 
Members' districts. It is a problem that sheriffs and local law 
enforcement in my district deal with on a daily basis. Admittedly, my 
amendment is not the silver bullet that will end this epidemic, but it 
is a commonsense step in the right direction, something we can take to 
address the problem at its roots, which is within the home.
  The National Institutes of Health estimates that 800,000 children 
between the ages of 12 and 17 try opioids for the first time each year 
and that 70 percent of the opioids obtained by kids are from their 
families, friends, and relatives. It also found that 62 percent of kids 
say prescription medicines are easy to get from their families' 
medicine cabinets and that one in two kids, alarmingly, thinks pills 
are available everywhere.
  In response to these statistics, my amendment would allow the State 
and local governments to invest in programs that utilize secure 
containers for prescription drugs. It is important to note that this 
amendment does not mandate such programs; it merely makes available the 
opportunity should local governments voluntarily choose to take 
advantage of the program.
  While there may not be an easy fix to cure all of the alarming 
statistics, there are things that we can do and have done. In fact, in 
the 1960s, children were dying at an alarming rate from ingesting 
medications that were not meant for them. Congress responded, and it 
responded by passing the Poisoning Prevention Packaging Act of 1970, 
which requires child-resistant caps for a number of different 
medications. That was the last time major changes were made to drug 
containers.
  As we all know, technology has advanced significantly in every 
category since 1970. Today, new technologies exist that make it harder 
to steal medications out of the family medicine cabinet, but they are 
not widely used. Secure containers, clearly, will not fix this problem, 
but they will act as a deterrent to the source of the problem.
  As a father of three, I know that kids face all sorts of pressures at 
school and in their daily lives. Oftentimes, they don't respond in the 
appropriate way, and they sometimes give in to those pressures. That 
doesn't make them bad kids, but we cannot continue to turn a blind eye 
in denial while it is happening. My amendment would allow for the 
implementation and the development of a program that utilizes secure 
containers for prescription drugs.
  This is a commonsense solution that addresses a problem at its 
source. It is a common practice to lock up things that we deem valuable 
and that could be dangerous to others. We lock up our cars, we lock up 
our bikes, we lock the doors of our homes; some of us may even lock the 
drawers of our desks or lock up valuables and weapons in safe places in 
our homes. Therefore, it only makes sense when it comes to dangerous 
pills that are being stolen and that are leading us down dangerous 
paths to addiction, that we lock up these medicines and deter them from 
being stolen in the first place.
  This is not a mandate and it is not a directive for anyone to do 
this. My amendment simply allows States and localities to utilize funds 
or programs that provide for secure containers. Again, it is not to be 
considered the be-all and end-all solution, but it is a genuine step in 
the right direction to thwart this tragic epidemic.
  I urge all Members to support my amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the 
gentleman's amendment, though I do not oppose the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for 
5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, this amendment authorizes 
grants for programs to develop secure prescription drug containers to 
prevent individuals, particularly children, from gaining access to 
opioid medications that have been lawfully prescribed to others.
  This amendment addresses a serious problem--the unauthorized access 
to or use of lawfully prescribed prescription opioid medications by a 
person other than the individual for whom the drugs were prescribed.

[[Page 5890]]

  The use of prescription opioid medications is controlled for a good 
reason. The misuse of such medications can have serious, even fatal, 
consequences. Perhaps the most tragic situation is one in which a child 
finds and, out of innocent curiosity, takes a prescription medication 
that is in the home, with the drugs having been prescribed for a parent 
or other family member, and that person then suffers an overdose. This 
amendment will help prevent this problem by providing funding for 
programs that utilize technology to help develop secure containers for 
prescription drugs.
  The advancement of such potentially lifesaving technology deserves 
our full support. For that reason, I urge my colleagues to support this 
amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte), the chairman of 
the Judiciary Committee.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Chairman, I commend the gentleman from Michigan for offering this 
amendment and for his commitment to combating opioid abuse, including 
joining as an original cosponsor of H.R. 5046.
  In a recent poll, 62 percent of American teenagers stated that 
prescription drugs are easy to get from the family medicine cabinet. 
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, a full 70 percent of 
prescription drug medications that are obtained by adolescents are 
acquired from family, relatives, or friends.
  According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, of the 2.4 million 
people annually who use prescription drugs nonmedically and for the 
first time, a shocking 800,000 are aged 12 to 17. Often, the drugs are 
pilfered, which means a child or a visitor takes one or two from a 
bottle at a time in order to escape detection from a parent or a 
friend.
  I urge my colleagues to support this amendment that addresses this 
problem.
  Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bishop).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 6 Offered by Mr. Guinta

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 6 
printed in part B of House Report 114-551.
  Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 4, line 3, insert before the period at the end the 
     following: ``, including prevention and recovery programs''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 720, the gentleman 
from New Hampshire (Mr. Guinta) and a Member opposed each will control 
5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Hampshire.
  Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment that I 
introduced with my colleague, Congresswoman Kuster.
  This amendment would add prevention and recovery programs to the list 
of allowable uses in this legislation.
  While the opioid misuse and overdose epidemic is taking a terrible 
toll on our Nation, with proper treatment and recovery support systems, 
individuals can and do recover.

                              {time}  1415

  Today, 23 million Americans are in recovery from substance use 
disorders and are contributing to our society and to our economy.
  In my home State of New Hampshire, over 430 people died of opioid 
overdose just last year. This number, unfortunately, is expected to 
rise in 2016.
  By allowing prevention and recovery programs to receive this 
important grant money, individuals who need the long-term recovery 
support have a better chance of surviving and thriving as they beat 
their addiction.
  Beyond the work that we are doing here in Congress, I would like to 
thank all of those heroes who are helping our communities to address 
this widening crisis. Specifically, in New Hampshire, people like my 
friend, Melissa Cruz, are among the many who are working behind the 
scenes to end this epidemic. Her work with Hope for New Hampshire 
Recovery to create another treatment and recovery center in our State's 
largest city, Manchester, my hometown, is essential to getting addicted 
Granite Staters back on their feet for long-term success.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important amendment.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. GUINTA. I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for offering 
this amendment.
  As the gentleman knows, addiction treatment and recovery in a 
noncriminal justice context are not within the Judiciary Committee's 
jurisdiction and, therefore, were not included in H.R. 5046, as 
reported by the committee, since this bill establishes a grant program 
in the Department of Justice.
  I do not oppose the amendment since I recognize that treatment and 
recovery are important functions in addressing this epidemic. However, 
I would like to work with the gentleman in going forward to ensure that 
treatment and recovery are appropriately tailored to DOJ functions or 
are otherwise addressed through appropriate grant programs, such as 
those administered by the Department of Health and Human Services.
  We must ensure that the grant programs to address the opioid epidemic 
are appropriately tailored to and administered by the Federal agencies 
with expertise in the areas for which they will be awarding funding. 
Otherwise, we are not fulfilling our duty to use taxpayer dollars 
efficiently.
  With that caveat, I support the amendment and urge my colleagues to 
do the same.
  Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Sensenbrenner) for his support in this area and appreciate his 
willingness to continue to work in this arena. I certainly will 
continue to do that.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, although I 
am not opposed to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentlewoman from New 
Hampshire is recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Chairman, I thank Congressman Guinta for introducing 
this amendment. As my partner and as co-chair of the Bipartisan Task 
Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, we appreciate his tireless work on 
this issue. I also want to thank the authors of this important 
legislation, Congressman Sensenbrenner and Congressman Conyers, for 
bringing forward the bill that makes such important progress in 
authorizing $103 million annually in grants through the Department of 
Justice.
  I am proud of the work that we are accomplishing here together this 
week. But that being said, we have many areas in which we have an 
opportunity to improve upon the legislation on the floor. And one of 
those areas is improved assistance for prevention, treatment, and 
lifelong recovery programs.
  Substance use disorder can be a lifelong challenge, and those 
struggling with this illness need access to the lifelong support 
required, just as we assist those with diabetes or heart disease.
  This critical amendment makes a simple change that would allow the 
grants authorized by this legislation to be used for prevention and 
recovery programs. We must address this crisis in a holistic way that 
includes efforts to treat addiction and strengthen lifelong recovery.
  I urge my colleagues to pass this critical amendment and to pass the 
underlying legislation.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Goodlatte for his 
leadership and work in this area.
  Prevention and recovery is incredibly important as we try to help 
those who deal with substance abuse challenges

[[Page 5891]]

and addiction challenges, not just in New Hampshire, but around the 
country.
  I would urge again support of the amendment.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Guinta).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 7 Offered by Mr. Rothfus

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 7 
printed in part B of House Report 114-551.
  Mr. ROTHFUS. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 4, after line 3, insert the following:
       ``(9) Developing, implementing, or expanding a program to 
     prevent and address opioid abuse by veterans.''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 720, the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Rothfus) and a Member opposed each will control 
5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
  Mr. ROTHFUS. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend from Wisconsin for his 
leadership on this very important piece of legislation, and the 
chairman and ranking member of the Judiciary Committee for working 
together to bring it to the floor today.
  The United States is being ravaged by skyrocketing levels of 
prescription opioid and heroin abuse. This brutal epidemic accounted 
for more than 28,000 American deaths in 2014. It is destroying families 
and devastating our local communities.
  Tragically, our Nation's veteran population has been particularly 
hard-hit by this crisis. Veterans suffer significantly higher rates of 
opioid abuse than their civilian counterparts. And according to some 
estimates, the number of opioid use disorders among veterans has 
increased 55 percent in the past 5 years. Worst of all, the death rate 
from opioid overdose among veterans is nearly double the national 
average. Clearly our veteran population has a unique set of needs when 
it comes to dealing with addiction that must be addressed through 
specialized programming. We need meaningful and evidence-based 
solutions, including treatment for co-occurring illnesses, such as 
depression and PTSD.
  I have been working to help develop those solutions as part of the 
Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic and by holding a 
series of roundtables with stakeholders in my district. I strongly 
believe that the legislation we are considering here today is another 
step forward in that process.
  Specifically, the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act will 
direct $103 million in Federal funds toward abuse programs focused 
squarely on addressing the opioid epidemic. By structuring this funding 
as a competitive grant program, the bill provides States and localities 
with maximum flexibility to attack opioid abuse that is unique to their 
communities.
  Among other things, States will be able to use the grant funds for 
various types of anti-opioid programs, including veteran treatment 
courts. These specialized courts, which seek to divert veterans away 
from traditional justice systems and provide them with both treatment 
and tools for rehabilitation, are certainly worthwhile and should be 
supported. But it is also my sincere hope that we can reach many 
veterans who are at risk of opioid or heroin abuse long before they 
enter our court system in the first place. And that is the goal of my 
amendment.
  Specifically, my amendment would expand the list of permissible uses 
for funds from the newly created Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Grant 
Program to include efforts to develop, implement, or expand programs to 
prevent and address opioid abuse by veterans. As currently drafted, the 
legislation permits similar funding for efforts to prevent and address 
opioid abuse by juveniles. My amendment will simply ensure that the 
same resources are available to treat our veterans.
  We have a solemn obligation to stand with our veterans. It is the 
principle of solidarity. They stood for us; we need to stand for them. 
Let us keep that commitment today by ensuring that our veterans have 
the resources and support they need to combat this horrible epidemic.
  I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Sensenbrenner).
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Rothfus) for yielding and for offering this 
amendment.
  The amendment adds a purpose area to the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse 
Grant Program established under H.R. 5046, which would allow grantees 
to use funds awarded under the program to develop, implement, or expand 
the program to prevent and address opioid abuse by veterans.
  I strongly support programs to provide services to our Nation's 
veterans, who have done so much to protect our freedom and our way of 
life. As the gentleman is no doubt aware, the underlying bill 
recognizes that many veterans, particularly those who have been wounded 
in defense of our Nation, in a tragic irony, have become addicted to 
the medications they were prescribed to deal with pain from their 
wounds of war. And the bill includes provisions supporting Veterans 
Treatment Courts and other mechanisms to provide services to veterans.
  I would like to work with the gentleman going forward as we move to 
conference with the Senate to streamline the provisions in my bill with 
the gentleman's amendment and to ensure that the bill contains 
appropriate, non-redundant provisions to protect our Nation's veterans.
  I support the amendment and urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. ROTHFUS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Sensenbrenner) for his work on this important legislation.
  To close, I simply urge my colleagues to support this commonsense 
amendment to ensure that the funds provided in this legislation can be 
used for programs that will provide direct assistance to our veterans 
in the fight against opioid and heroin abuse.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition, although 
I don't oppose the underlying amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for 
5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would expand the 
list of eligible grant uses for the new program under H.R. 5046 to 
include efforts to develop, implement, or expand a program to prevent 
and address opiate abuse by veterans. This amendment would add programs 
for veterans to prevent and address opiate abuse to the list of grants 
authorized under H.R. 5046.
  The bill creates a grant program geared toward addressing opiate 
abuse. As currently drafted, the bill defines eight areas of uses for 
which grants may be awarded.
  This amendment makes clear that veterans programs are among the 
purposes for which the grants may be used. Our veterans have sacrificed 
for us, and we should take appropriate steps to assist those veterans 
who suffer from opiate abuse and heroin abuse.
  I support this amendment and I encourage my colleagues to support it.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Rothfus).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 8 Offered by Mr. Keating

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 8 
printed in part B of House Report 114-551.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 4, after line 3, insert the following:
       ``(9) Developing, implementing, or expanding a prescription 
     drug take-back program.''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 720, the gentleman 
from Massachusetts (Mr. Keating) and

[[Page 5892]]

a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment to H.R. 5046 
to include drug take-back programs in the list of funds made available 
under the bill's Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Grant Program.
  The Centers for Disease Control reports that healthcare providers in 
the U.S. write 259 million prescriptions for opioids a year, enough for 
every American adult to have their own bottle of pills.
  In Massachusetts alone, 4.4 million opioid prescriptions, including 
240 million pills, capsules, or tablets were dispensed in 2014. 
Further, nearly half of the people in my State report that it is too 
easy to get prescription opioids from those who have leftover pills. 
And the people who share these leftover pills are usually unaware of 
the significant dangers that they represent.
  The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that nearly 4 in 5 
people addicted to heroin say their habit began by misusing 
prescription medications. Over half of those people report they got 
their prescription painkillers from a friend or a relative for free. 
And this includes adolescents.
  My amendment would help give these people ways to stop their problem 
before it starts. More than ever, communities need to supply safe 
disposal services to their residents to get excess pills out of the 
hands of people who don't need them. My amendment would make sure that 
our communities have access to the resources they need to do so.
  The American Medical Association recognizes this point in its strong 
support of drug take-back programs, and the FDA has published 
information regarding proper disposal of unused medications as well.
  When I was a district attorney, I worked with local and State police 
to combat the flow of drugs coming into our neighborhoods. Yet, as the 
public supported these efforts to keep dangerous drugs off the streets, 
they didn't realize that the greatest supply of these dangerous drugs 
was sitting in their own medicine cabinets.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Goodlatte and Chairman Sensenbrenner. I 
also thank my colleagues--Mr. Rothfus, Mr. Blumenauer, Dr. Roe of 
Tennessee, and Mr. Bera--for cosponsoring this amendment and joining me 
in this effort to add a commonsense step toward solving this important 
public health epidemic.
  I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).
  I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1430

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy, and 
I strongly support everything he just said. We are in a situation today 
where we have a massive epidemic of opioid abuse. We are prescribing it 
in unimaginable volumes, and many times people are getting supplies 
that are far more than they need.
  We are finding that young people, in particular, 62 percent of teens 
who abuse prescription drugs do so because they are easy to get from a 
parent's medicine cabinet or from a medicine cabinet of a neighbor or a 
friend or people who break into homes. We need to have a systematic 
effort to be able to safely dispose of drugs.
  One of the problems in some cases is people are flushing them down 
the toilet. As a result, we are finding in our water supply traces of 
these medications. We are slowly medicating the American population. 
That itself is extraordinarily dangerous, and it is expensive for our 
water treatment systems.
  The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 15 seconds to the 
gentleman.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chair, I hope this is a first step for us to have 
a systematic effort at the Federal level to be able to support these 
important programs to keep it out of the medicine cabinets and out of 
the sewer systems.
  I have introduced legislation that would provide a tax credit for 
providers to be able to provide these services. I hope that we can 
continue this conversation going forward.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Bera).
  Mr. BERA. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank my colleagues. I would 
also like to thank my colleague and fellow physician, the gentleman 
from Tennessee (Mr. Roe), for partnering with me on the Dispose 
Responsibly of your Pills Act, the DROP Act.
  As a doctor, I have seen firsthand the devastation that misused 
prescription drugs can have on families. Deb Simpson, from Sacramento 
County, shared her family's story with me. Her son became addicted to 
prescription medications he found in the family's medicine cabinet. By 
the time Deb realized what was happening, he was already addicted. 
Thankfully, through help and rehabilitation facilities, her son 
recovered, but far too many families suffer the tragic loss of a child 
or a loved one. We can easily prevent this. Let's make it easier to 
dispose of medications by supporting this simple amendment.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to claim the 
time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman 
from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Virginia is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts 
(Mr. Keating) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Rothfus) for 
offering this amendment, and I support it.
  According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, more 
Americans are now dying every year from drug overdoses than in car 
accidents, and a majority of those overdoses involve prescription 
medications. In 2012, healthcare providers wrote 259 million 
prescriptions for opioid pain medications, enough for every American 
adult to have a bottle of pills.
  In 2010, the House Committee on the Judiciary and Committee on Energy 
and Commerce shepherded through Congress the Secure and Responsible 
Drug Disposal Act, which amended the Controlled Substances Act to allow 
patients to legally return unused or expired prescription drugs to 
local pharmacies, police stations, and community drug disposal 
programs.
  That same year, the Drug Enforcement Administration began hosting 
National Prescription Drug Take-Back events. At the previous 10 take-
back day events, over 5.5 million pounds of unwanted, unneeded, or 
expired medications were surrendered for safe and proper disposal. On 
April 27, I was pleased to host, along with Committee on Appropriations 
Chairman Rogers, a drug take-back event here on Capitol Hill.
  At this year's National Take-Back Day, held on April 30, Americans 
disposed of more unused prescription drugs than during any of the 
previous 10 events. The DEA and over 4,200 State, local, and tribal law 
enforcement agencies collected 893,498 pounds of unwanted medicines, 
about 447 tons, at almost 5,400 sites spread through all 50 States, 
surpassing the previous high of 390 tons in the spring of 2014.
  This amendment will allow grant funds to be used to sponsor these 
important drug take-back events. I urge my colleagues to support the 
amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
(Mr. Rothfus), a lead sponsor of this amendment.
  Mr. ROTHFUS. Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman. I also want to thank my 
colleagues, particularly the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. 
Keating), my friend, for inviting me to work with him on this important 
amendment, which adds drug take-back programs to the list of authorized 
uses under the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Grant Program created by this 
legislation.
  While prescription drugs can be lifesaving when used properly, they 
can also be harmful and even lethal if they

[[Page 5893]]

end up in the wrong hands. As recognized by Mr. Keating, unused 
prescription medications can pose a real safety concern and public 
health risk, particularly in homes with children. These unused drugs 
can be accidentally ingested, stolen, or misused, which is why it is 
absolutely essential that we take appropriate steps to provide both a 
safe and responsible means of disposing of them. This amendment ensures 
that Federal grant funds can be used for that purpose.
  I believe this is a positive step and will offer real benefits in 
reducing accidental overdose deaths. For that reason, I urge my 
colleagues to support this important amendment.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Roe), a sponsor of the amendment.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I thank the chairman for yielding. I rise in 
support of this amendment.
  Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem throughout the United 
States, particularly in east Tennessee, where I live. There is no 
question that a significant source of the supply for prescription drug 
abuse is unused prescriptions. We need to do everything possible to 
encourage the safe disposal of drugs that may be ripe for abuse.
  I worked with the gentleman from California (Mr. Bera), my friend, on 
a bill to establish a grant program to fund programs to help law 
enforcement agencies, pharmacies, narcotic treatment programs, 
hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities to properly dispose 
of outdated or unused prescription medications. I am pleased that the 
passage of this amendment will create a similar funding stream.
  Currently there are no existing grants available for programs to 
properly dispose of prescription drugs, and I believe this effort could 
help curb the widespread prescription drug abuse we are seeing 
throughout the country.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Keating).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                  Amendment No. 9 Offered by Mr. Lynch

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 9 
printed in part B of House Report 114-551.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 4, after line 3, insert the following:
       ``(9) Developing, implementing, or expanding a program to 
     ensure the security of opioids in medical facilities.''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 720, the gentleman 
from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Chairman, first, I would like to commend Chairman Bob 
Goodlatte and Mr. Sensenbrenner, as well as Mr. Conyers and Mr. 
Johnson, for their effort in bringing this important bill to the floor.
  I rise today in support of my amendment to H.R. 5046, the 
Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act of 2016. Mr. Chairman, my 
amendment, if adopted, will allow grants authorized under the 
underlying bill to provide for developing, implementing, or expanding 
programs to ensure security and custody of opioids at medical 
facilities.
  The issue of abuse of prescription painkillers is not a new one, but 
the rise of this epidemic has really been fueled by the increased 
strength of and proliferation of these addictive drugs. It is well 
documented that the road to the use and abuse of an illicit opioid drug 
like heroin frequently begins with the legitimate use or diverted use 
of prescription opioid painkillers like OxyContin or Vicodin.
  Through a variety of ways, these powerful drugs end up in the hands 
of individuals struggling with their disease. One of the most frequent 
ways that these drugs make it to the street is after they have been 
stolen from a medical facility in which they are stored for legitimate 
use.
  In the wake of our nationwide prescription drug abuse epidemic, these 
drug diversion crimes have increased across the country. I will give 
you a few examples, but there are many.
  At a Georgia hospital, according to the Georgia Board of Pharmacy 
consent order, a theft scheme lasted for more than 4 years and diverted 
more than 1 million doses of controlled drugs.
  In my own district at home, two nurses at the Massachusetts General 
Hospital diverted nearly 16,000 pills, mostly OxyContin, resulting in 
the hospital paying a $2.3 million fine.
  In New York, a doctor stole 200,000 pills of oxycodone with a $5.6 
million street value.
  In Utah, at the Utah VA, a pharmacist there stole 7,000 units of 
prescription drugs for sale on the street.
  I am not criticizing these institutions. I am merely underscoring 
that the addictive nature and the power of these drugs is really 
driving these crimes. I am just trying to underscore that there is a 
need to address the drug diversion issue.
  The Controlled Substances Act requires that registrants notify the 
Drug Enforcement Agency in writing of a theft or significant loss of 
any controlled substance, but we need to try to prevent the diversion 
of these drugs and work together to improve and strengthen the systems 
in place to deter the thefts that put these addicts in this position 
and put the addictive drugs on the street.
  If adopted, my amendment will help do that. My amendment will give 
States and local governments the resources to work with their hospitals 
and community health centers, physician clinics, and treatment 
facilities to identify areas in which they can improve the security and 
custody of these prescription drugs. By regularly reviewing best 
practices and updating protocols and existing systems, we can keep 
these drugs secure and save some lives in the process.
  The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the cities I represent and 
others across the country are combating this effort from all sides. My 
amendment is another tool in the toolbox. Quite simply, we need to do 
everything we can to keep these drugs off the street.
  I urge my colleagues to support my amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the 
amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Virginia is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I first want to commend the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) 
for his support of this underlying bill and for his sincere desire to 
improve the bill.
  While I appreciate that desire to ensure that opioids are secured 
appropriately in medical facilities, that is the responsibility of the 
Drug Enforcement Administration, and there are already rigorous 
standards in place to ensure this. So I must oppose the amendment as 
being duplicative and causing waste of resources and diverting some of 
the resources provided under this bill from some of the other good 
purposes that are already provided for in the bill. The amendment 
creates a new grant purpose area for developing, implementing, or 
expanding a program to ensure the security of opioids in medical 
facilities.
  The DEA regulations set forth extensive physical security 
requirements for the transportation, storage, and dispensing of opioids 
and other narcotic prescription drugs. The DEA regulations also place 
tight restrictions on which individuals can access and handle these 
drugs.
  The responsibility for regulating and enforcing the rules governing 
the distribution and storage of schedule II and schedule III narcotics, 
including opioids, lies with the DEA, and it is not a task that can be 
undertaken by a

[[Page 5894]]

grant recipient through the program created by H.R. 5046.
  For these reasons, I must oppose the amendment; although, I would say 
to the gentleman that, if he would like to withdraw the amendment, as 
we move to conference with the Senate, I would be happy to undertake 
his concerns and see if there was some other way to work to incorporate 
them into the bill that we ultimately send to the President's desk.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Chairman, I have great respect for the gentleman from 
Virginia, and I applaud him on the great work he has done here. 
However, I started up an adolescent rehab center because of the huge 
problem I have got in my district with young people. I understand this 
bill is focused on veterans as well. That is another very vulnerable 
population, with our folks coming back after multiple tours, but I 
really feel strongly about the need for securing these opioids.
  I have got a lot of hospitals in my district. We are having problems 
with the clinics and hospitals. This is really a problem that we all 
own and not just the DEA. So I would have to insist on my amendment and 
ask Members to support it.
  Mr. Chairman, may I inquire how much time I have remaining.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Massachusetts has 2 minutes 
remaining.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1445

  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson).
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Lynch amendment. It expands 
the list of eligible grant uses for the grant program created by H.R. 
5046 to include programs that ensure the security of opioids in medical 
facilities.
  This amendment would add programs that ensure the security of opioids 
in medical facilities to the list of grant uses authorized under H.R. 
5046. Maintaining opioids securely in medical facilities protects the 
public by helping to ensure that the drugs will not fall into the hands 
of individuals who will use them or sell them improperly or illegally.
  If State or local governments wish to take steps to better secure 
these facilities, grant funding under this program should be available 
to them.
  Therefore, I support the amendment.
  Mr. LYNCH. In closing, Mr. Chairman, there is a gap out there in 
terms of the security and custody of these opioids within medical 
facilities. I am trying my best, just as the chairman is trying his 
best, to address the problem that we have in our districts. It is a 
real problem.
  So it is a great bill. There is just this one gap, and I am trying to 
close that.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  I appreciate the gentleman's dedication to the issue. However, 
according to the DEA, the vast majority of diversion does not occur 
because employees are stealing drugs from hospitals or distribution 
centers. The vast majority of diversion occurs through the 
overprescribing of opioid pain medication.
  Is this amendment intended to prevent pharmacy robberies? Who is the 
grantee that the gentleman believes will be able to do what this 
amendment contemplates?
  Given the limited resources available, I very strongly believe 
grantees must use their money for the most appropriate and efficient 
purposes available and not for a purpose that is already covered by the 
strict regulations administered by a Federal agency.
  So I oppose the amendment.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch).
  The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes 
appeared to have it.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further 
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from 
Massachusetts will be postponed.


                 Amendment No. 10 Offered by Mr. Israel

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 10 
printed in part B of House Report 114-551.
  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 7, strike lines 3 through 7, and insert the following:

     ``SEC. 3024. EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS.

       ``In awarding grants under this part, the Attorney General 
     shall ensure equitable distribution of funds based on the 
     following:
       ``(1) The geographic distribution of grants under this 
     part, taking into consideration the needs of underserved 
     populations, including rural and tribal communities.
       ``(2) The needs of communities to address the problems 
     related to opioid abuse, taking into consideration the 
     prevalence of opioid abuse and overdose-related death in a 
     community.''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 720, the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Israel) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer a commonsense, 
bipartisan amendment that I think will have significant impact on the 
Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Grant Program.
  I want to thank the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. McKinley) and 
the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Mullin) for working with me on this.
  This amendment basically would direct the Attorney General, when 
awarding grants, to consider the prevalence of opioid abuse and opioid-
related overdoses in a community.
  The underlying legislation already properly ensures an equitable 
geographic distribution of funds. This amendment simply makes sure that 
the areas hardest hit by the epidemic are getting the resources that 
they need.
  I happen to represent Suffolk County on Long Island in New York. We 
have suffered with more opioid and related deaths than any other county 
in my State. Between 2009 and 2013, 334 people lost their lives to 
heroin or opioids. By comparison, Brooklyn, which has 1 million more 
residents, had only one-half the number of opioid deaths in the same 
time.
  Treatment admissions for opioid addiction on Long Island rose from 
12,887 in 2010 to 16,681 in 2014. That is a 29 percent increase. These 
are percentages and statistics, Mr. Chairman, and all of us in this 
body know how this epidemic is affecting real lives.
  Just over 2 weeks ago I met with students from Half Hollow Hills High 
School West's One World Youth Organization. I met with a young woman 
named Alexa Wasser. She shared with me that her brother, Zachary 
Wasser, died of an overdose in January at 23 years old.
  He was friendly. He was outgoing. He loved to spend time with his 
family. He was a good kid who got caught up in an epidemic that is 
impacting way too many Long Island families and way too many American 
families, so much so that they have nicknamed the Long Island 
Expressway the ``Heroin Highway.''
  Mr. Chairman, for the sake of the Wassers and for the hundreds of 
Long Island families whose lives have changed forever, I urge support 
for my amendment and I urge passage of the underlying bill. I again 
want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their 
cooperation and support for this amendment.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition even 
though I do not oppose the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Virginia is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.

[[Page 5895]]


  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, as we have said repeatedly, the opioid 
epidemic affects every Member's district, every region of our country, 
and every socioeconomic level.
  In order to ensure these grants are dispensed broadly, as is needed, 
the underlying bill includes language requiring the Attorney General to 
also consider the needs of rural and tribal communities in making 
grants.
  This amendment builds upon that requirement by directing the Attorney 
General to also consider the prevalence of opioid abuse and overdose-
related deaths in a community. This is a good amendment which will help 
ensure these grant funds reach across the Nation and are directed where 
they will help the most.
  I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. 
Mullin), a strong supporter of this amendment and the underlying 
purpose.
  Mr. MULLIN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my colleague's 
amendment to this important bill.
  This amendment would make sure that rural and tribal areas receive 
the funding they need to combat the growing drug use epidemic.
  My district is very rural. My district also has two of the five 
counties in the entire State that have the highest rates of 
unintentional painkiller overdoses.
  In 2014, Oklahoma had the 10th highest drug overdose rate in the 
Nation and more people died from unintentional overdoses than in car 
crashes.
  Rural areas have some of the highest overdose death rates in the 
entire country, and this is a growing epidemic. We must ensure that 
these rural areas are getting the tools they need.
  This is why I am offering this amendment with my colleagues, Mr. 
Israel and Mr. McKinley, to ensure that rural and tribal areas receive 
the proper Federal drug abuse prevention efforts they deserve.
  I urge all my colleagues to support this amendment.
  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, I again want to commend the chairman, the 
gentleman from Oklahoma, and the gentleman from West Virginia for their 
cooperation.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel).
  The amendment was agreed to.


         Amendment No. 11 Offered by Ms. Clark of Massachusetts

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 11 
printed in part B of House Report 114-551.
  Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the 
desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Add at the end of the bill the following:

     SEC. 6. GAO STUDY AND REPORT ON DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 
                   PROGRAMS AND RESEARCH RELATIVE TO SUBSTANCE USE 
                   AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AMONG ADOLESCENTS 
                   AND YOUNG ADULTS.

       (a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
     shall conduct a study on how the Department of Justice, 
     through grant programs, is addressing prevention of, 
     treatment for, and recovery from substance use by and 
     substance use disorders among adolescents and young adults. 
     Such study shall include an analysis of each of the 
     following:
       (1) The research that has been, and is being, conducted or 
     supported pursuant to grant programs operated by the 
     Department of Justice on prevention of, treatment for, and 
     recovery from substance use by and substance use disorders 
     among adolescents and young adults, including an assessment 
     of--
       (A) such research relative to any unique circumstances 
     (including social and biological circumstances) of 
     adolescents and young adults that may make adolescent-
     specific and young adult-specific treatment protocols 
     necessary, including any effects that substance use and 
     substance use disorders may have on brain development and the 
     implications for treatment and recovery; and
       (B) areas of such research in which greater investment or 
     focus is necessary relative to other areas of such research.
       (2) Department of Justice non-research programs and 
     activities that address prevention of, treatment for, and 
     recovery from substance use by and substance use disorders 
     among adolescents and young adults, including an assessment 
     of the effectiveness of such programs and activities in 
     preventing substance use by and substance use disorders among 
     adolescents and young adults, treating such adolescents and 
     young adults in a way that accounts for any unique 
     circumstances faced by adolescents and young adults, and 
     supports long term recovery among adolescents and young 
     adults.
       (3) Gaps that have been identified by officials of the 
     Department of Justice or experts in the efforts supported by 
     grant programs operated by the Department of Justice relating 
     to prevention of, treatment for, and recovery from substance 
     use by and substance use disorders among adolescents and 
     young adults, including gaps in research, data collection, 
     and measures to evaluate the effectiveness of such efforts, 
     and the reasons for such gaps.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit 
     to the appropriate committees of the Congress a report 
     containing the results of the study conducted under 
     subsection (a), including--
       (1) a summary of the findings of the study; and
       (2) recommendations based on the results of the study, 
     including recommendations for such areas of research and 
     legislative and administrative action as the Comptroller 
     General determines appropriate.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 720, the gentlewoman 
from Massachusetts (Ms. Clark) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Massachusetts.
  Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the 
gentleman from Virginia for his work and leadership on the underlying 
bill.
  We know that addiction does not wait until adulthood. A majority of 
adults in substance use treatment start using before turning 18.
  My amendment would direct the GAO to study research and programs 
carried out by the Department of Justice and its grantees and report on 
those programs' findings and work regarding substance use and substance 
use disorders among adolescents and young adults.
  The amendment would require GAO to report on any gaps in the research 
around adolescent and young adult substance use that have been 
identified by experts or Department of Justice officials.
  We need to understand what extended opioid use means for young brains 
and how it affects development and growth. We also need to understand 
how early exposure to opioids might change young people's needs with 
respect to treatment and support on the road to recovery.
  I would like to tell you about a constituent of mine named Chip. Chip 
was an athlete. He excelled at hockey and baseball. Playing sports was 
extremely important to him. But then, in eighth grade, he started 
drinking. Shortly after, drugs entered the picture, and Chip stopped 
caring about everything.
  As a young husband and father by the time he was 22, Chip always felt 
like something was missing. Anytime there was a problem, Chip reached 
for drugs as a solution. He received two OUIs in 1 year. He lost his 
license. He lost his family. He overdosed on heroin and became 
homeless.
  The addiction ruined his life and devastated anyone who cared for 
him. It was only when serving a jail sentence for a third OUI that Chip 
finally heard a recovering addict who came to speak to inmates, and for 
some reason he connected.
  Chip has been in recovery and has been clean and sober for 7 years. 
He works today as a recovery coach in my district, walking together 
with others with substance use disorder on the long road to recovery 
and a future.
  We owe it to young adults like Chip who were successful, ambitious, 
and energetic before opioids to understand what happened to them and 
how we can prevent it from happening to other adolescents and young 
adults. We owe it to them to understand how to help them seek and gain 
effective treatment.
  The more information we can collect about how addiction begins in 
adolescents and how to treat young adults, the clearer we can see where 
there are gaps in our understanding and the better chance we have of 
combating this horrific epidemic.

[[Page 5896]]

  I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to claim 
time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman 
from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Wisconsin is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for offering 
this amendment.
  The amendment directs the Government Accountability Office to study 
and report on Justice Department programs and research relative to 
substance abuse and substance use disorders among adolescents and young 
adults.
  I share the gentlewoman's desire for additional information on the 
programs available to combat the opioid epidemic. This is an 
appropriate piece of the legislative package.
  Having said that, I am concerned that, as drafted, the amendment 
requires the GAO to study things DOJ might not be doing and does not 
have the expertise to do so effectively.
  Specifically, the amendment directs the GAO to study and report on 
DOJ programs relative to substance abuse and substance use disorders by 
adolescents with no nexus to the criminal justice system.
  I do not oppose the amendment, but I would like to work with the 
gentlewoman going forward to ensure the provisions of the amendment are 
appropriately tailored to the responsibilities and programs within the 
Justice Department's jurisdiction.
  I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, I am grateful to the 
gentleman from Wisconsin not only for the support of this amendment, 
but for all the work and leadership he has shown around this issue.
  We look forward to working with him to make sure this amendment is 
tailored to meet the needs of the underlying bill and to be in line 
with the Department of Justice's work and research.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for her 
offer of working together.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Clark).
  The amendment was agreed to.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.
  The motion was agreed to.
  Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. 
Holding) having assumed the chair, Mr. Westmoreland, Acting Chair of 
the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, reported 
that that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 
5046) to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 
to authorize the Attorney General to make grants to assist State and 
local governments in addressing the national epidemic of opioid abuse, 
and for other purposes, had come to no resolution thereon.

                          ____________________