Congress Passes Opioid Legislation, Democrats Push for Action on Puerto Rico, Resources to Address Public Health Crises
MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP
This week, the House passed a number of bipartisan bills aimed at addressing the opioid addiction crisis in America. One of those bills was the Opioid Program Evaluation (OPEN) Act, which I was proud to co-sponsor with Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. This legislation would require the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop metrics by which opioid-related grant programs are evaluated to ensure we’re utilizing our resources in the best way possible. While all of the bills passed this week are a step in the right direction, I am concerned that we are not providing adequate funding to ensure access to substance abuse treatment and help communities address the impact of addiction. I will continue to work to ensure that we provide the resources necessary to effectively address this crisis.
Earlier this month, Puerto Rico defaulted on $422 million worth of debt, and unless Congress acts soon, the island is set to default on a further $2 billion on July 1. Negotiations continue with Members of both parties, but Congress must pass legislation that allows Puerto Rico to restructure its debt and provide relief soon. The crisis in Puerto Rico has real consequences—the island has lost 10 percent of its population in the last decade; health, public safety, and education services have been curtailed; and financial restraints prevent the island’s government from responding to the threat of the Zika virus.
Finally, as we approach the summer months, the threat of Zika continues to grow in Puerto Rico, the continental United States, and throughout the Americas. According to the Pan American Health Organization, 500 million people in the Americas are at risk of being infected by the virus. The Administration and Congressional Democrats are prepared to work with Republicans to provide the necessary resources to address this public health crisis, and the House is expected to act on legislation next week.
Sincerely yours,
Steny H. Hoyer
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DEMOCRATIC NEWS UPDATE
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