Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 654) to provide the Administrator of the Drug-Free Communities Support Program the authority to waive the Federal fund limitation for the Drug-Free Communities Support Program, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 654

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act''. SEC. 2. WAIVER OF FEDERAL FUND LIMITATION FOR THE DRUG-FREE COMMUNITIES SUPPORT PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), if the Administrator of the Drug-Free Communities Support Program determines that, as a result of the public health emergency declared pursuant to section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d) as a result of COVID-19, an eligible coalition is unable to raise the amount of non-Federal funds, including in-kind contributions, agreed to be raised by the coalition for a fiscal year under an agreement entered into with the Administrator pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) or (3) of section 1032(b) of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (21 U.S.C. 1532(b)), the Administrator may, notwithstanding such paragraphs, provide to the eligible coalition the grant or renewal grant, as applicable, for that fiscal year in an amount--

(1) with respect to an initial grant or renewal grant described under paragraph (1)(A) or (3)(A) of such section, that exceeds the amount of non-Federal funds raised by the eligible coalition, including in-kind contributions, for that fiscal year;

(2) with respect to a renewal grant described under paragraph (3)(D)(i) of such section, that exceeds 125 percent of the amount of non-Federal funds raised by the eligible coalition, including in-kind contributions, for that fiscal year; and

(3) with respect to a renewal grant described under paragraph (3)(D)(ii) of such section, that exceeds 150 percent of the amount of non-Federal funds raised by the eligible coalition, including in-kind contributions, for that fiscal year.

(b) Limitation.--The Administrator may not provide a grant or renewal grant to an eligible coalition in an amount exceeding the amount of funds initially agreed to be provided by the Administrator under the applicable agreement. SEC. 3. RAISING CAP ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES UNDER ANTI- DRUG ABUSE ACT OF 1988.

Section 1024(b) of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (21 U.S.C. 1524(b)) is amended by striking ``8 percent'' and inserting ``12 percent''.

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Mr. PALLONE. 654.

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Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 654, the Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act.

Since 1998, the Drug-Free Communities Program has been a pillar of our Nation's drug, alcohol, and tobacco prevention efforts.

The program is designed with community-based approaches in mind to reach at-risk communities, including racial and ethnic minorities and the LGBTQ community. It is estimated that one in five Americans live in a community with a Drug-Free Communities Coalition, and over 300,000 partners are engaged in prevention efforts.

Like many mission-driven, community-service organizations, Drug-Free Communities Coalitions have faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many have had trouble sustaining their programming amid increasing rates of substance use. This is in part due to an inability to meet the matching fund requirements required of those receiving Drug-Free Communities grants.

H.R. 654 would allow the Drug-Free Communities Coalitions to seek matching fund waivers and resume their work to enhance drug, alcohol, and tobacco prevention efforts. The legislation also allows additional funds to be made available for expanded technical assistance by the Drug-Free Communities Program, as requested in the administration's fiscal year 2022 budget. This additional support would provide critical resources to the Drug-Free Communities Coalitions facing the greatest challenges posed by the pandemic.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 654, a bipartisan bill that will allow important work to continue in our communities.

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Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I urge support for this bill. It is very important in terms of trying to promote these coalitions at a local community level to prevent drug overuse.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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