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Pappas Votes to Prevent Government Shutdown, Applauds Extension of His Bipartisan Fentanyl Scheduling Legislation

September 21, 2021

On Tuesday, September 21, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) issued the following statement after voting for a Continuing Resolution to keep the United States government open, applauding the inclusion of an extension of his bipartisan fentanyl scheduling legislation in the bill:

"Today I voted for a Continuing Resolution that will keep our government open, prevent a catastrophic economic downturn, send critical funds to areas hard hit by natural disasters, support the resettlement of Afghan refugees, and re-extend bipartisan legislation I introduced to speed the prosecution of fentanyl traffickers, get deadly substances out of our communities, and save lives," said Congressman Pappas. "In New Hampshire and across the country, fentanyl-related substances continue to take the lives of our family members, friends, and neighbors at alarming rates. I am pleased this critical, bipartisan legislation will be extended with the passage of this Continuing Resolution, and I remain committed to working across the aisle and with health and public safety experts to craft a long-term solution to this public health crisis to ensure our communities remain safe."

Background:

In May 2021, President Biden signed into law legislation introduced by Pappas in April 2021 to extend the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) temporary order to keep fentanyl-related substances in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act to ensure law enforcement can keep them off the streets. This is a designation used for substances with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

Also in May 2021, Pappas introduced the bipartisan Federal Initiative to Guarantee Health by Targeting (FIGHT) Fentanyl Act alongside Rep. Vern Buchanan (FL-16) to help keep deadly synthetic drugs off the streets by placing fentanyl-related substances permanently on the Schedule I list.

In November 2020, Pappas voted to pass, H.R. 7990, the Fighting Emerging Narcotics Through Additional Nations to Yield Lasting Results Act, or FENTANYL Results Act, which would prioritize efforts of the Department of State to combat international trafficking via increased collaboration with the international community through shared anti-trafficking initiatives and capacity-building measures.

In November 2020, Pappas voted to pass H.R. 2466, the State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act Of 2020, which Pappas co-sponsored. This legislation reauthorizes through FY2024 the State Opioid Response Grants program which is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The program works to address the opioid crisis by increasing access to medication-assisted treatment and supports evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery support services to address stimulant misuse and use disorders, including for cocaine and methamphetamine.

Also last year, Pappas joined the New Hampshire Congressional delegation in announcing $28 million in federal funding to combat the opioid and substance misuse epidemic. Pappas also voted to pass H.R. 7617, the second annual appropriations package, which funds a range of critical national priorities, including the fight against the addiction epidemic in our communities. The legislation includes several key provisions introduced by Pappas, including an amendment he passed with Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (NM-03) to increase funding for Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers.