WASHINGTON, DC - Earlier today, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) delivered keynote remarks at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as part of a forum examining solutions to combat the opioid crisis.
Spearheading a two-track push to combat the opioid crisis, by legislating and investigating the causes of the epidemic, Chairman Walden has made it a top priority to stem the tide.
Chairman Walden delivers his remarks.
In his keynote remarks, Chairman Walden stated, “This crisis reaches coast to coast. Fueled by dangerous new chemical versions, illicitly manufactured drugs, and complicit bad actors contributing to the spread of opioid abuse, in one year alone, overdoses have taken more American lives than the entire Vietnam War. Scan the headlines on any given day and it’s clear that this epidemic is spiraling out of control with no end in sight - unless we take action."
Chairman Walden gave a summary of yesterday’s hearing examining ways to improve patient safety and bolster enforcement tools, before previewing the other two hearings to come. Specifically, he highlighted Jessie’s Law, authored by Reps. Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI), the INFO Act, authored by Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), and a bill by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) to study new and innovative technologies that claim to have the capability to safely dispose of opioids and other medications.
“…combating the opioid crisis must be a collaborative, bipartisan effort," Chairman Walden stressed. “No one person has the answers. And no one bill will provide the solution. Which is why we’ve taken a methodical and expansive approach to moving multiple bipartisan legislative ideas forward."
In concluding his remarks, Chairman Walden said, “…we’re moving full speed ahead on two tracks at Energy and Commerce, and with the start of our hearing series this week, the rubber has really hit the road on our legislative efforts."
Learn more about the committee’s ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis HERE.
