Delaware’s two U.S. senators are taking their Republican counterparts to task for not funding legislation to help fight the nation’s opioid addiction epidemic.
Congress passed the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Wednesday, but it didn’t include funding to implement some if its key components, like opioid overdose kits for law enforcement and increased access to overdose treatment centers.
Some of the bills new regulations could take effect without funding, but major components will be on hold, according to Senator Chris Coons.
“Without funding for treatment. Without funding to strengthen the public safety and public health response we won’t really provide the answers to problems the families in Delaware are facing right now,” he said.
Republicans say they’ll approve nearly $581 million when Congress reconvenes after Labor Day. But Coons said the opioid overdose epidemic is a genuine public health threat that should be dealt with now.
President Obama is expected to sign the bill even without the funding.
