U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Renews Call for Investments from Washington to Fight Wisconsin’s Opioid and Heroin Epidemic

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin released the following statement today as she renewed her call for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to schedule a vote on legislation to provide funding to address the opioid and heroin epidemic in the United States.

“I’ve held roundtables across the state and heard from local law enforcement, citizens, elected officials on both sides of the aisle, and people working on the front lines to combat this crisis. I have also heard the stories from families who have lost loved ones,” said Senator Baldwin. “Congress recently passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act as a critical first step. However, Washington needs to act immediately to provide emergency investments for local prevention, treatment and recovery efforts. Until we do, our job is not done and local communities will be without the support they need to effectively combat this crisis in Wisconsin.”

Senator Baldwin has held roundtable dialogues in Green Bay, La Crosse and Wausau this year.

She cosponsored and voted for the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (S.524), which was signed into law last month with bipartisan VA reforms she authored.

She has also cosponsored legislation, introduced by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), which would provide supplemental appropriations totaling $600 million to support the work of first responders, healthcare providers and criminal justice system as they continue to respond to this national emergency. In March, the legislation did not receive enough support from Senate Republicans to pass the Senate.  

In addition, Senator Baldwin has introduced the Budgeting for Opioid Addiction Treatment Act (LifeBOAT), which would establish a permanent funding stream to provide and expand access to substance abuse treatment.