The Senate on Wednesday was able to advance legislation to fight the nation’s growing problem with opioid addiction, in a vote that ensures its passage and a presidential signature just before Congress departs for the summer recess.
The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act cleared a critical procedural hurdle after Senate Democrats decided not to block the measure, even thought it did not contain new emergency funding they say is needed to address the crisis. Sixty votes were needed to advance the bill to a final vote, and that threshold was reached easily: the vote was 90-2.
The bill expands education and prevention efforts, strengthens prescription drug monitoring programs and increases first responder access to naloxone, a critical opioid antidote, among other changes.
“By increasing prevention, treatment, recovery and law enforcement tools, CARA can help prevent more people from struggling with addiction to begin with, and it can help foster long-term healing for those already struggling with addiction,” said Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
Prescription opioid abuse and heroin addiction have increased dramatically in recent years, forcing the issue to the forefront of the legislative schedule.
Both parties were eager to write a bill that could overcome partisan disagreements and become law, and the sense of urgency helped quell a late-breaking Democratic uprising over the lack of funding.
The House passed the bill last week with almost unanimous support after Democrats decided to vote for it despite the lack of money attached. Republicans defeated a Democratic amendment to provide $920 million to fight opioid abuse.
Senate Democrats followed along with their support for the bill on Wednesday, but registered their objections on the Senate floor prior to the vote.
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the number three Democrat, said during floor debate that more money is needed for mental health workers, law enforcement and additional beds at addiction recovery facilities, among other things.
“Until we pass the increase in resources for both law enforcement and treatment, we cannot say Congress has done what is necessary to solve and fight the opioid crisis,” Schumer said.
Republicans have pledged to include additional funding in the fiscal 2017 appropriations legislation.
