Kuster Statement on Senate's Failure to Pass Emergency Funding to Combat Heroin Epidemic

Press Release

This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement regarding the Senate's defeat of a vote to provide $600 million in emergency funding for states combatting the opioid and heroin epidemic:

"I'm deeply saddened the Senate could not put aside partisan politics to pass badly needed legislation to help combat the heroin crisis. Across the county, families are losing their loved ones, and communities are deeply struggling to address the needs of the individuals fighting back against addiction. We must ensure our communities, law enforcement, medical providers, and treatment centers have the resources they need to save lives and to put an end to this epidemic once and for all.

"I applaud Senator Shaheen for leading this fight in the Senate, and I will continue to push for emergency funding in the House. In the near future, I will be leading a bipartisan letter with many of my colleagues to the House Appropriations Committee requesting more funding for this fight, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come together and help us provide the assistance our communities desperately need from their Representatives in Congress."

As co-founder of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Congresswoman Annie Kuster is helping to lead the fight in Washington to put an end to the heroin and opioid crisis. Earlier this year, she testified in front of the House Budget Committee to ask for additional funding to fight the epidemic, and she also encouraged the President to fight for funding in his budget. She will be holding a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee field hearing in New Hampshire tomorrow to discuss opioid prescribing and best practices in pain management at the VA, as many veterans across the state are also struggling with the deadly ramifications of addiction.

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