Synthetic Opioid Danger Awareness Act (Cong. Rec., Nov. 30, 2021)
Summary
Page H6693 of the House section of the Congressional Record for November 30, 2021, under the heading Synthetic Opioid Danger Awareness Act. Mr. Pallone moves on the act, whose text requires an independent evaluation beginning 2 years after enactment and every 2 years thereafter, with baseline measures and benchmarks. A speaker says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that over 100,000 people died of drug overdoses from April 2020 to April 2021, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Another speaker supports H.R. 3743, Supporting the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health.
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“Synthetic Opioid Danger Awareness Act (Cong. Rec., Nov. 30, 2021).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-11-30-crec-2021-11-30-pt1-pgh6693-78888df0e4/
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November 30, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6693
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- subsection (a) is subject to an independent opioid overdose crisis. From April 2020
ther proceedings on this motion are evaluation, beginning 2 years after the date to April 2021, the Centers for Disease
postponed. of the enactment of this section, and every 2 Control and Prevention estimated that
years thereafter.
f over 100,000 people died due to drug
‘‘(2) MEASURES AND BENCHMARKS.—For pur-
poses of an evaluation conducted pursuant to overdoses, no doubt exacerbated by the
SYNTHETIC OPIOID DANGER
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— COVID–19 pandemic.
AWARENESS ACT
‘‘(A) establish baseline measures and Synthetic opioids like fentanyl and
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move benchmarks to quantitatively evaluate the fentanyl analogs significantly contrib-
to suspend the rules and pass the bill impact of the campaign under this section;
uted to overdose deaths. In 2019, the
(H.R. 2364) to amend title III of the and
‘‘(B) conduct qualitative assessments re- CDC estimated that more than half of
Public Health Service Act to direct the
garding the effectiveness of strategies em- overdose deaths involved synthetic
Secretary, acting through the Director
ployed under this section. opioids and drugs mixed with synthetic
of the Centers for Disease Control and ‘‘(g) REPORT.—The Secretary shall, begin- opioids, such as methamphetamine and
Prevention, to provide for a public edu- ning 2 years after the date of the enactment cocaine mixed with fentanyl.
cation campaign to raise public aware- of this section, and every 2 years thereafter,
ness of synthetic opioids, as amended. submit to Congress a report on the effective- The Energy and Commerce Com-
The Clerk read the title of the bill. ness of the campaign implemented under mittee has worked throughout the pan-
The text of the bill is as follows: subsection (a) towards meeting the measures demic to address this crisis. The Amer-
H.R. 2364 and benchmarks established under sub- ican Rescue Plan, passed and signed
section (e)(2). into law earlier this year, included the
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- ‘‘(h) DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION
resentatives of the United States of America in THROUGH PROVIDERS.—The Secretary shall largest-ever funding boost of over $3
Congress assembled, develop and implement a plan for the dis- billion for mental health and substance
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. semination of information related to syn- abuse block grants to the Substance
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Synthetic thetic opioids, to health care providers who Abuse and Mental Health Services Ad-
Opioid Danger Awareness Act’’. participate in Federal programs, including ministration, or SAMHSA. That $3 bil-
SEC. 2. SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS PUBLIC AWARENESS programs administered by the Department of lion in funding has gone to critical
CAMPAIGN. Health and Human Services, the Indian services for addiction treatment, pre-
Part B of title III of the Public Health Health Service, the Department of Veterans
Service Act is amended by inserting after Affairs, the Department of Defense, and the vention, harm reduction, and recovery.
section 317U (42 U.S.C. 247b–23) the following Health Resources and Services Administra- H.R. 2364, the Synthetic Opioid Dan-
new section: tion, the Medicare program under title XVIII ger Awareness Act, provides an addi-
‘‘SEC. 317V. SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS PUBLIC AWARE- of the Social Security Act, and the Medicaid tional tool to address one piece of the
NESS CAMPAIGN. program under title XIX of such Act.’’.
opioid crisis. This bill requires the De-
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year SEC. 3. TRAINING GUIDE AND OUTREACH ON
after the date of the enactment of this sec- SYNTHETIC OPIOID EXPOSURE PRE- partment of Health and Human Serv-
tion, the Secretary shall provide for the VENTION. ices to launch a public education cam-
planning and implementation of a public (a) TRAINING GUIDE.—Not later than 18 paign on the health risks associated
education campaign to raise public aware- months after the date of the enactment of with synthetic opioids and services
ness of synthetic opioids (including fentanyl this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human available to address misuse of these
and its analogues). Such campaign shall in- Services shall design, publish, and make pub-
products. Further, HHS would be re-
clude the dissemination of information licly available on the internet website of the
Department of Health and Human Services, a quired to disseminate information re-
that—
training guide and webinar for first respond- garding synthetic opioids to healthcare
‘‘(1) promotes awareness about the potency
and dangers of fentanyl and its analogues ers and other individuals who also may be at providers.
and other synthetic opioids; high risk of exposure to synthetic opioids The bill also directs HHS to produce
‘‘(2) explains services provided by the Sub- that details measures to prevent that expo-
sure.
training materials for first responders
stance Abuse and Mental Health Services and other professionals at a higher oc-
(b) OUTREACH.—Not later than 18 months
Administration and the Centers for Disease
after the date of the enactment of this Act, cupational risk of coming into contact
Control and Prevention (and any entity pro-
viding such services under a contract entered
the Secretary of Health and Human Services with synthetic opioids. It also requires
shall also conduct outreach about the avail- the agency to conduct outreach about
into with such agencies) with respect to the
ability of the training guide and webinar the availability of these materials in
misuse of opioids, particularly as such serv-
published under subsection (a) to—
ices relate to the provision of alternative, order to help those on the front lines
(1) police and fire managements;
non-opioid pain management treatments;
(2) sheriff deputies in city and county jails; be aware of the risks associated with
and synthetic opioids.
(3) ambulance transport and hospital emer-
‘‘(3) relates generally to opioid use and
gency room personnel; The bill is another step the Energy
pain management.
(4) clinicians; and and Commerce Committee has taken to
‘‘(b) USE OF MEDIA.—The campaign under
(5) other high-risk occupations, as identi-
subsection (a) may be implemented through address the opioid crisis and protect
fied by the Assistant Secretary for Mental
the use of television, radio, internet, in-per- the health and safety of our commu-
Health and Substance Use.
son public communications, and other com- nities. The committee passed this leg-
mercial marketing venues and may be tar- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
islation with unanimous, bipartisan
geted to specific age groups. ant to the rule, the gentleman from
support in July.
‘‘(c) CONSIDERATION OF REPORT FINDINGS.— New Jersey (Mr. PALLONE) and the gen-
In planning and implementing the public tleman from Kentucky (Mr. GUTHRIE) I want to thank my New Jersey dele-
education campaign under subsection (a), each will control 20 minutes. gation colleague, Representative KIM,
the Secretary shall take into consideration The Chair recognizes the gentleman and Representative PAPPAS of New
the findings of the report required under sec- from New Jersey. Hampshire for leading this important
tion 7001 of the SUPPORT for Patients and
Communities Act (Public Law 115–271). GENERAL LEAVE legislation. I urge my colleagues to
‘‘(d) CONSULTATION.—In coordinating the Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask support H.R. 2364, the Synthetic Opioid
campaign under subsection (a), the Sec- unanimous consent that all Members Danger Awareness Act, and I reserve
retary shall consult with the Assistant Sec- have 5 legislative days in which to re- the balance of my time.
retary for Mental Health and Substance Use vise and extend their remarks and in- Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield
to provide ongoing advice on the effective- clude any extraneous material on H.R.
ness of information disseminated through
myself such time as I may consume.
2364.
the campaign. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support
‘‘(e) REQUIREMENT OF CAMPAIGN.—The cam- of H.R. 2364, the Synthetic Opioid Dan-
objection to the request of the gen-
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE
paign implemented under subsection (a) ger Awareness Act. Synthetic opioids,
shall not be duplicative of any other Federal tleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection. including fentanyl and fentanyl-related
efforts relating to eliminating the misuse of
opioids. Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield substances, have been the primary
‘‘(f) EVALUATION.— myself such time as I may consume. drivers of the rise in overdose deaths
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall en- Mr. Speaker, we have hit a tragic that we have seen over the past year
sure that the campaign implemented under milestone in our battle against the and beyond.
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H6694 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 30, 2021
H.R. 2364 requires the Secretary of Continuing education on fentanyl and syn- GENERAL LEAVE
Health and Human Services to imple- thetic opioids is essential for ensuring the Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask
ment a public education campaign re- health and safety of fire fighters and para- unanimous consent that all Members
lated to synthetic opioids. Addition- medics. may have 5 legislative days in which to
ally, the Secretary is required to pub- Passing the Synthetic Opioid Danger revise and extend their remarks and in-
lish a training guidance and webinar Awareness Act is a step towards ensuring the clude extraneous material on H.R. 3743.
for first responders and other individ- health and wellness of American citizens and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
uals to better understand synthetic reducing the impact synthetic opioids impose objection to the request of the gen-
opioid exposure prevention. This cam- on American communities. tleman from New Jersey?
paign will promote awareness around I urge my colleagues to pass this bill and I There was no objection.
the dangers of synthetic opioids and thank Congressman ANDY KIM for introducing Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield
provide information about available such an important piece of legislation. myself such time as I may consume.
services to address synthetic opioid The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support
abuse. question is on the motion offered by of H.R. 3743, the Supporting the Foun-
I urge my colleagues to support this the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. dation for the National Institutes of
bill, and I yield back the balance of my PALLONE) that the House suspend the Health and the Reagan-Udall Founda-
time. rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2364, as tion for the Food and Drug Administra-
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I urge amended. tion Act.
support for this bill, and I yield back The question was taken. The Reagan-Udall Foundation for the
the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the
FDA is an independent nonprofit orga-
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being
nization established by Congress in 2007
support of H.R. 2364, the ‘‘Synthetic Opioid in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
to advance the mission of the FDA to
Danger Awareness Act’’, which will require Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Speaker, on that
modernize medical product develop-
several federal agencies to provide education I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ment, accelerate innovation, and en-
and training related to synthetic opioids, in- hance safety.
cluding fentanyl and its analogues. ant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered. Likewise, the Foundation for the NIH
The CDC reports that more than 93,000
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- is an independent nonprofit organiza-
Americans died from drug overdoses in 2020,
ther proceedings on this motion are tion established by Congress in 1990 to
an almost 30 percent increase from 2019.
postponed. develop private-public partnerships
Regardless of income, race, gender, edu-
that advance biomedical research, do-
cation, or other demographics, America’s opi- f
mestically and globally.
ate problem has morphed into a full-blown b 1630 Both organizations work to advance
public health crisis.
Synthetic opioids contribute greatly to this SUPPORTING THE FOUNDATION the missions of the NIH and the FDA
drug crisis and are a serious threat to fire FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES and have played important roles in our
fighters and emergency medical responders OF HEALTH AND THE REAGAN- Nation’s fight against COVID–19. For
who are susceptible to encountering these UDALL FOUNDATION FOR THE example, the Foundation for the NIH
deadly substances. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRA- has worked to coordinate the ACTIV
Increased rates of opiate usage impact the TION ACT program that is strategizing our re-
types and volume of calls the fire service re- search and prioritizing and speeding
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move
sponds to and the dangers they encounter development of the most promising
to suspend the rules and pass the bill
when they arrive on the scene, both of which COVID–19 vaccines and treatment.
(H.R. 3743) to increase funding for the
stretch already limited resources even thinner. Likewise, the Reagan-Udall Founda-
Reagan-Udall Foundation for the Food
A 2021 Statista study found that nearly two- tion’s COVID–19 Diagnostics Evidence
and Drug Administration and for the
thirds of all fire department responses are for Accelerator has brought stakeholders
Foundation for the National Institutes
medical aid. together to collect and evaluate real-
of Health.
When firefighters or EMS personnel come in The Clerk read the title of the bill. world data in a way that is scientif-
contact with opioids—either through direct The text of the bill is as follows: ically useful and meets the FDA stand-
contact or secondary contamination—this cre- ards so we can understand the efficacy
H.R. 3743
ates a unique, and often unknown, risk for of COVID–19 diagnostics in the real
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
these individuals because many opioids can resentatives of the United States of America in
world.
be ingested either by skin contact (namely Congress assembled, Mr. Speaker, the FDA and the NIH
fentanyl) or via inhalation, making it chal- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. are currently authorized to transfer
lenging to help the victim. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Supporting funding to their respective foundations
Firefighters must be properly trained on how the Foundation for the National Institutes of within a statutory limit that has not
to safely respond to these life-threatening Health and the Reagan-Udall Foundation for been increased since 2007.
emergencies in a way that both helps the vic- the Food and Drug Administration Act’’. H.R. 3743 would increase the transfer
SEC. 2. REAGAN-UDALL FOUNDATION AND FOUN- authority for both foundations from up
tim and minimizes risk to their health and DATION FOR THE NATIONAL INSTI-
safety. TUTES OF HEALTH.
to $1.25 million to up to $5 million.
The Synthetic Opioid Danger Awareness (a) REAGAN-UDALL FOUNDATION FOR THE This legislation will allow the agencies
Act would require the National Institute for Oc- FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION.—Section to increase their support consistent
cupational Safety and Health to produce train- 770(n) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cos- with the increasing costs of medical
ing materials to prevent exposure to synthetic metic Act (21 U.S.C. 379dd(n)) is amended by product research and development.
opioids for first responders and others who are striking ‘‘$500,000 and not more than This bipartisan bill received unani-
$1,250,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$1,250,000 and not mous support in the Energy and Com-
at high risk of exposure.
more than $5,000,000’’. merce Committee. I would like to
In addition, the Substance Abuse and Men- (b) FOUNDATION FOR THE NATIONAL INSTI-
tal Health Services Administration will be re- TUTES OF HEALTH.—Section 499(l) of the Pub-
thank my colleagues, Representative
quired to disseminate the mentioned training lic Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290b(l)) is HUDSON and Health Subcommittee
materials to ambulance transport personnel, amended by striking ‘‘$500,000 and not more Chairwoman ESHOO, for their out-
local sheriff deputies, and other first respond- than $1,250,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$1,250,000 and standing leadership on this legislation.
ers and individuals in high-risk occupations. not more than $5,000,000’’. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to
H.R. 2364 would also direct the CDC to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- support H.R. 3743, and I reserve the bal-
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE
conduct a public education campaign that ant to the rule, the gentleman from ance of my time.
raises public awareness of the dangers of syn- New Jersey (Mr. PALLONE) and the gen- Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield
thetic opioids and explains the services avail- tleman from Kentucky (Mr. GUTHRIE) myself such time as I may consume.
able, with respect to opioid treatment. each will control 20 minutes. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support
The health of American citizens is one of The Chair recognizes the gentleman of H.R. 3743, Supporting the Founda-
the most pressing issues facing this country. from New Jersey. tion for the National Institutes of
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