WASHINGTON, DC - Building on the Energy and Commerce Committee’s bipartisan #RecordOfSuccess, the House of Representatives today passed two more bipartisan public health bills. To date, over 115 bipartisan Energy and Commerce bills and provisions have cleared the House in the 114th Congress.
Passing in the House today were:
* H.R. 1877, Mental Health First Aid Act, introduced by Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), requires SAMHSA to award grants to initiate and sustain mental health awareness training grants. The goal of these programs is to train individuals to accomplish safe de-escalation of crisis situations, recognition of the signs and symptoms of mental illness, and encourage timely referral to mental health services. H.R. 1877 passed unanimously by voice vote.
* H.R. 3537, the Synthetic Drug Control Act of 2015, introduced by Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA), would place a number of synthetic drug compounds on Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. H.R. 3537 passed the House by a vote of 258-101.
The full committee unanimously passed both bills last Wednesday.
“These two bipartisan bills build upon the Energy and Commerce Committee’s continued commitment to meaningful mental health reform and combating drug abuse," said full committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). “We have made important progress, and these thoughtful solutions passed by the House today will make a real impact where it matters most - on the ground in communities across Michigan and the entire country."
