THE DAILY WHIP: THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016

H.R. 5046 – Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act of 2016 (Rep. Sensenbrenner – Judiciary) (One hour of debate).  The bill would authorize the future appropriation of $103 million annually from 2017 – 2021 to allow the Department of Justice (DOJ) to give grants to state, local, and tribal governments for programs to combat opioid abuse.  The grants would help local officials to: facilitate and enhance collaboration between state criminal justice agencies and state substance abuse systems; develop, implement, or expand treatment alternatives for incarceration programs; train criminal justice agency personnel on substance use disorders and co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders; provide additional training and resources for first responders on carrying and administering opioid reversal drugs; provide additional resources to investigate illicit activities related to the unlawful distribution of opioids; expanding or more closely monitoring a prescription drug abuse program; and additional support activities. 

The United States is currently facing an epidemic of addiction to opioids, including prescription painkillers and heroin.  Assuming future appropriations action consistent with this authorization, H.R. 5046 would equip those on the frontlines by providing them with necessary funding to combat the crisis.  It is imperative that we give states, local officials, and tribal governments the resources they need to help educate and keep the American people safe.

The Rule makes in order 11 amendments, debatable for 10 minutes, equally divided between the offeror and an opponent.  The amendments are:

Donovan Amendment. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act to include substance abuse treatment programs that provide alternatives to incarceration for pregnant women as eligible for family-based substance abuse treatment grants.
Danny Davis/Young (IN) Amendment. Clarifies that grants addressing treatment alternatives to incarceration may include a focus on parents whose incarceration could result in their children entering foster care.
DelBene Amendment. Clarifies that treatment alternatives to incarceration programs may include community-based substance use diversion programs sponsored by a law enforcement agency.
DeSaulnier/Carter (GA) Amendment. Clarifies that grants under this act can be used for multi-state interoperable prescription drug monitoring programs.
Bishop (MI) Amendment. Adds an "allowable use" within the grant program established under the bill to develop, implement, or expand the use of programs that utilize secure containers for prescription drugs.
Guinta/Kuster Amendment. Adds treatment and recovery to the list of allowable uses in the bill.
Rothfus Amendment. Expands the list of eligible grant uses for the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Grant Program to include efforts to develop, implement, or expand a program to prevent and address opioid abuse by veterans.
Keating/Rothfus/Blumenauer/Bera/Roe Amendment. Adds drug take-back programs to the list of authorized uses for amounts made available under Section 3021(a) of the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Grant Program.
Lynch Amendment. Provides that grant funding can be used to develop, implement, or expand a program to ensure the security of opioids in medical facilities.
Israel/McKinley/Mullin Amendment. Directs the Attorney General, when awarding grants, to also consider community need based on prevalence of opioid abuse and related deaths.
Clark Amendment. Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study and report on Department of Justice (DOJ) programs and research relative to substance use and substance use disorders among adolescents and young adults.

Bill Text for H.R. 5046:
PDF Version

Background for H.R. 5046:
House Report (HTML Version)
House Report (PDF Version)

Postponed Suspensions (2 bills)

1. H.R. 1818 – Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act of 2016 (Rep. Kinzinger – Energy and Commerce)
2. H.R. 4586 – Lali's Law (Rep. Dold – Energy and Commerce)

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK
The GOP Leadership has announced the following schedule for Friday, May 13: The House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. The House is expected to consider the House Amendment to S. 524 – Comprehensive Addition and Recovery Act (Sen. Whitehouse – Energy and Commerce/Judiciary) (Subject to a Rule).