White House fully funds drug control office after congressional backlash

The White House has buckled to major congressional pressure and restored more than $300 million in funding to fight drug abuse.

President Trump's budget proposal released Tuesday does not cut the funding of the Office of the National Drug Control Policy. An earlier leaked budget proposal eliminated funding for the office, claiming it was duplicative.

But the proposed cut caused an uproar in Congress, which just passed major legislation to combat the opioid abuse epidemic last year.

Lawmakers cheered the decision to not cut the funding.

"The Office of National Drug Control Policy plays an important role in combatting the opioid epidemic affecting families and communities across the country," said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. "That's why I made it very clear that eliminating ONDCP would be unacceptable."

Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, who authored the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act passed last year, said he has had productive talks with White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney on the proposed cuts.

"I'm pleased the White House will support its essential programs to combat drug addiction," he said.