A bipartisan group of senators, including U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., called on Senate leadership Friday to provide states with the resources needed to tackle the opioid epidemic.
In their letter, the group urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to include additional funding dedicated to addressing the crisis in the upcoming supplemental and omnibus appropriations legislation.
“Opioid misuse is not a partisan issue. It is ravaging communities in every state and preys upon individuals and families regardless of party affiliation,” the senators wrote. “We have worked together on this issue in the past, and with the clear statement from [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Acting Secretary Eric Hargan] that the administration is looking for Congress to lead the way, it is time for us to work together again.”
The letter asked that “every effort” be made to ensure new, substantial and sustained funding for the opioid epidemic.
Other senators signing the letter include U.S. Sens. Bob Casey, D-Pa.; Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.; Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; Maggie Hassan, D-N.H.; Susan Collins, R-Maine; Angus King, I-Maine; and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis.