Two Trone Bills to Address the Opioid Epidemic Pass Through Energy and Commerce Committee, Next Step is House Floor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hannah Muldavin, Hannah.Muldavin@mail.house.gov
Two Trone Bills to Address the Opioid Epidemic Pass Through Energy and Commerce Committee, Next Step is House Floor
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman David Trone (MD-06) announced that two bills he authored to address the opioid epidemic passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The two bills, the State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act and the Family Support Services for Addiction Act, now await a vote by the full House of Representatives.
The two measures take a comprehensive approach to combating the addiction crisis. The State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act would provide nine billion dollars in funding over six years for state and tribal governments. Trone introduced the bill after he heard directly from addiction treatment providers in Maryland that consistent federal funding would be critical to continuing to serve their communities. The Family Support Services for Addiction Act would help families struggling with substance use disorders. Trone knows the impact addiction can have on an individual’s family — he lost his 24-year-old nephew Ian to a fentanyl overdose. Trone and his wife June worked with Ian for over five years to seek treatment and recovery.
“I came to Congress with a mission to get legislation passed that would seriously address the opioid crisis that took my nephew Ian’s life and is killing our family and friends on a daily basis,” said Congressman Trone. “Addiction is a disease that touches every community across America, and we need bold, united action to put an end to this senseless loss of life. I want to commend Chairman Frank Pallone for understanding the urgency of the opioid and addiction crisis in America and for working to make sure these two bills moved successfully through the Energy and Commerce Committee.”
H.R. 2466 The State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act
Trone introduced the State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act in May of 2019 along with Freshmen Working Group on Addiction members Reps. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), and Denver Riggleman (R-VA). The legislation authorizes State Opioid Response (SOR) Grants and Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) Grants for 6 years. It authorizes $1.5 billion per year, which includes $50 million for TOR grants.
“While much of our attention is rightly focused on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot ignore the epidemic of opioid addiction, which is still ravaging communities across the country. I’m happy to see the Energy and Commerce Committee approve our bipartisan bill to provide stable and certain funding for our state, local, and tribal governments to combat this crisis,” said Congressman Armstrong.
“I am happy to see H.R. 2466 pass the House Energy & Commerce Committee today. Funding the State Opioid Response Grant program is a critical step in the fight against the opioid epidemic,” said Congressman Riggleman. “ This program has helped thousands of Americans who struggle with addiction. Members of my family have been personally affected by the opioid crisis and I know the toll it takes on those affected and the people who love them. I am proud to co-lead this legislation that will go a long way to help those who need help. ”
To read a summary of the State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act, click here.
The bill text of the State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act can be found here.
H.R. 5572 the Family Support Services for Addiction Act of 2020
Trone introduced the Family Support Services for Addiction Act in January of 2020 along with Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA), and Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). The legislation would create a $25 million grant program over five years to help national and local nonprofit organizations provide family support services for addiction treatment.
“Addiction is an epidemic that affects each of our communities,” said Congressman Meuser. “The Family Support Services for Addiction Act would fill an existing federal funding gap for community organizations that serve as a valuable asset to families of individuals struggling with substance abuse disorder. Their services help families navigate insurance coverage, explore treatment options and understand how best to help their loved one on the road to recovery. I want to thank Congressman Trone for his exceptional work on this important issue.”
To read a one-pager about the Family Support Services for Addiction Act, click here.
The bill text of the Family Support Services for Addiction Act can be found here.
National Recovery Month in Congress
The passage of these bills through the Energy and Commerce Committee adds to a series of legislative and community events Trone is focusing on during National Recovery Month. Last week, Trone announced an historic bipartisan, bicameral effort in Congress to highlight National Recovery Month, including efforts throughout the month to address the importance of mental health and substance use disorder treatment. Immediately following the announcement, Trone sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office requesting information about the current number of and projected demand for mental and behavioral health workers. Yesterday, Trone visited three different counties in Western Maryland to listen directly to people in recovery about the challenges they are facing during COVID-19.
Trone has made ending the addiction crisis his top priority as a Member of Congress. He founded the Freshmen Working Group on Addiction, a bipartisan group of 60+ Members of Congress dedicated to that aim. The group has introduced more than 30 pieces of legislation to address the issue. Earlier this year, Speaker Pelosi appointed Trone to the National Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking.
Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, where he has continuously fought for students, teachers, and educators. As the only member from Maryland on the Education and Labor Committee, Trone has made education a top priority, taking an education tour of the district in August and introducing multiple bills aimed at supporting an equitable education for students and supporting Maryland educators.
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