Senate Democrats Call for Increased Funding to Battle Opioid and Heroin Epidemic

Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) lead a coordinated effort on the Senate floor to call for increased funding to battle the nation’s opioid and heroin epidemic. This week the Senate is debating the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), yet Senate Republicans blocked an amendment to add $600 million in emergency funding that would directly aid health and law enforcement professionals who are on the front lines of the addiction battle. During a series of speeches the Senators highlighted the need to fund state-led prescription drug overdose prevention efforts, medication-assisted treatment for those addicted to opioids and funding for local law enforcement.