Rogers Applauds Federal Funding to Boost Job Growth and Combat the U.S. Drug Abuse Epidemic

Statement

U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) applauds the House Appropriations Committee for approving the fiscal year 2018 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Bill. The legislation provides $156 billion for medical research, public health, biodefense, education and training activies to boost job growth. The bill also includes language to protect the sanctity of life and boosts efforts to combat the nation's drug abuse epidemic.

"Practically every family in your district and mine has been somehow impacted by this horrible problem. Now is the time for action and this subcommittee has the reins and is pulling the team," said Rogers, Chairman Emeritus of the House Appropriations Committee. "We lose almost one hundred people a day, from opioid overdoses; the CDC now calls it an epidemic. We're now appropriating over $8 billion across the government, much of which comes through this bill, thankfully. In addition to increasing funds for the National Institute on Drug Abuse by nearly $17 million, we're also fulfilling the second half of our $1 billion commitment to the 21st Century Cures Act with a $20 million increase for CDC's Prescription Drug Overdose Program."

During his remarks to the Committee, Rogers applauded the Kentucky Legislature for its recent action to limit prescription opioids to a three day supply, in an effort to remove excess prescription painkillers from the street.

As Chairman Emeritus of the House Appropriations Committee, Rogers advocated for federal funding to support a number of programs that impact southern and eastern Kentucky, including diabetes prevention, black lung clinics, training and employment services, and educational programs, like TRIO and Gear Up.

The bill now heads to the House floor for consideration.

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