Improving the Federal Response to Families Impacted By Substance Use Disorder Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5891, which would establish an interagency task force to identify, evaluate, and recommend ways in which Federal agencies can better coordinate responses to the opioid epidemic and carry out their authorized duties.

Many factors have contributed to this crisis, and it will take significant efforts to overcome it. Throughout my listening tour around northwest Oregon to discuss the opioid crisis, it became abundantly clear that local, State, and Federal officials must work together to address this epidemic and stem the loss of lives.

As I previously mentioned, I heard from numerous providers, individuals in recovery, families who lost loved ones, teachers, community leaders, all who called for greater Federal investment to fight back against opioids and more assistance for State and local entities that are working on the front lines.

Because of the breadth of programs required to assist families, any government effort to address substance use disorder and the opioid crisis must be a coordinated and collaborative approach across agencies. I am hopeful that this interagency task force will result in a more collaborative plan of action to address the many issues facing my constituents and the other people across this country.

I am, however, concerned that a plan of action without the necessary funding to carry out the recommendations will remain just a plan. So I urge my colleagues to support providing sufficient resources to implement these solutions.

I want to thank my colleagues, Congressman Grothman and Congressman Lamb, for their work on this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I, again, want to thank Congressman Grothman and Congressman Lamb on this important legislation and emphasize again, that once we get the report from this task force, we need to have the funding--the resources, the money--to implement its recommendations to make sure that it really helps the people we are serving. So, again, I thank them for their work on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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