Ayotte-Led Legislation to Battle Heroin Crisis Signed into Law

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte today announced that President Obama has signed into law the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) that she helped co-author and introduce. The final version of CARA passed the House by a vote of 407-5 and the Senate by a vote of 92-2.

"Today marks a critical turning point for the New Hampshire families, advocacy groups, first responders, and all those who have fought tirelessly against this devastating crisis," said Senator Ayotte. "CARA is such an important step in this battle, and I've been proud to work with my colleagues and so many incredible people and groups in New Hampshire for more than two years to get this legislation passed. Utilizing the programs and resources focused on prevention, treatment, recovery, and support for first responders that CARA provides, I know we will be able to start turning the tide of addiction and help save lives."

CARA authorizes $181 million in funding for various agencies and programs focused on treatment, prevention, and recovery. The funding for CARA is separately provided through appropriations acts - such as the Senate Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Act and the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, which both passed the Senate Appropriations Committee with overwhelming bipartisan support. Senator Ayotte has urged appropriators for, and voted in support of, significant increases in funding through the regular appropriations process for the evidence-based initiatives called for under CARA. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2017, these bills would appropriate significant increases in funding for the evidence-based initiatives called for under CARA, and would provide $469 million in total discretionary funding to combat opioid abuse, an increase of $249 million or 113% since FY 2015.

Senator Ayotte has additionally supported other emergency and supplemental funding for opioid programs, including a measure from Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) that would add $600 million additional emergency funding on top of the normal appropriations process.

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