releases: https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-rigglemans-bill-address-opioid-epidemic-passes-house
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| https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-rigglemans-bill-address-opioid-epidemic-passes-house | Congressman Riggleman's Bill to Address Opioid Epidemic Passes House | 2020-11-17 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Republican | House | VA | Denver Riggleman | R000611 | riggleman.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. -- Today,Congressman Denver Riggleman's bill H.R. 2466, the State OpioidGrant Authorization Act of 2020, passed the House of Representatives with unanimous support. Thebill, co-led byCongressman David Trone (D-MD-6),would aid the fight against the opioid epidemic by providingfunding for State Opioid Response Grants. These grantsprovide significant and much-needed resources to respond to the opioid epidemic, and this legislation provides congressional authorization funding for states and localitiesfor the next 5 years. Over 2 million Americans suffer from opioid addiction, and the opioid crisis has only worsened during the coronavirus pandemic, said Congressman Denver Riggleman. The State Opioid Response Grant program helps thousands of Americans every year in their fight against addiction by prioritizing prevention, treatment and recovery. I am proud to see this bill pass the House of Representatives unanimously today. It's a big step forward in combating the very real crisis of opioid addiction, which has devastating consequences for families across this great nation, including my own. Thank you to my colleagues, especially my good friend Congressman David Trone, for supporting this bill. I introduced this bill when I first came to Congress because I spoke to our Governor, state and county leaders, hospital administrators, direct providers, and stakeholders across the country who all said the same thing loud and clear: State, local, and tribal governments need to know the federal government will be a steady partner in the fight against addiction, said Congressman Trone. We need consistent, guaranteed funding because there is no magic bullet or vaccine to fix the opioid crisis that has killed over 550,000 people since 2000 and continues to get worse during the COVID-19 pandemic. I'd like to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for unanimously passing this legislation and supporting those fighting on the front lines of the opioid epidemic in our communities. Before the bill passed the House today,CongressmanRiggleman gave a speech on the floor of the House urging his colleagues to supporthis legislation. You can watch the speech here,and read the transcript below. Transcript: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you to my good friends Representative Walden, Congressman Pallone, and David Trone. Our Freshman Working Group has been incredible on this issue. It is interesting how this has come full circle. Two years ago, in my very first speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, Icalled on Congress to act and address the opioid addiction crisis that causes tens of thousands of deaths every year. During the two years since that speech I have been working hard to provide solutions and take positive steps to address the crisis. I have also become more aware of the harm the opioid epidemic has caused in our streets and in our districts. I have seen how the crisis has affected the friends, the family members of so many- including some in this chamber today like my dear friend David Trone who tragically lost his nephew to an opioid overdose. I have been personally affected by this crisis and I know the toll it takes on those affected and the people who love them. I was sitting at my desk in Congress one year ago when I got the call that my cousin, Trey, had overdosed not far from where I was sitting. I talked about this with Congressman Trone. We knew we had to do something and I think that is why we have to thank members like Rep. Sherrill and Rep. Armstrong for their incredible support on this. Trey and Ian, I think this bill is for them, for people who have suffered through this incredible scourge. The bill before us today starts to address some of those challenges and is a positive step towards combating the very real crisis of opioid addiction that has had devastating consequences for families across the nation. Obviously I strongly support H.R. 2466, the State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act of 2020. Not only must Congress act to address this crisis, but we must LEAD. I chose to co-lead this bill because it will help countless numbers of my constituents and it is the right thing to do. I have to applaud the efforts of my dear friend David Trone and all the members of the Freshman Working group on Addiction and I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I don't think I can say this any stronger: bill is for Trey & Ian and for all those affected by the overdoses, the awfulness of what happens in these families. Thank you, and I yield back the balance of my time. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |