Opioid Epidemic Becomes Key Talking Point For Vulnerable Senate Candidates In Hard-Hit States
Republican senators such as Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Rob Portman of Ohio and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania have all run ads or talked about their experience in combating the issue. In other news, the House overwhelmingly passes the first three pieces of an 18-bill opioid package slated for consideration this week, and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo appoints a task force to address the crisis.
Politico:
Vulnerable GOP Senate Incumbents Talk Up Their Record Fighting Opioid Abuse
The opioid epidemic is playing a starring role in tight Senate races in Ohio, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania — communities hard-hit by addiction, where Republican incumbents are fighting to retain their seats in an anti-establishment year. With the control of the Senate at stake, the opioid battle has morphed into a large enough political issue that the Karl Rove-backed group, One Nation, weighed in by spending $1.12 million in March on an ad touting New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte’s role in passing bipartisan Senate legislation, known as the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. She’s in a tight contest with Gov. Maggie Hassan, who has her own record on opioid legislation to run on. (Cook, 5/10)
The Hill:
House Takes First Steps On Opioids Bill
The House on Tuesday easily cleared three bills aimed at reducing opioid addiction, the first of more than a dozen bipartisan bills up for consideration this week. Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly, 410-1, to approve legislation by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) which calls for a broad, five-year study into federal grants dedicated to preventing opioid abuse. Two other bills passed by voice vote earlier Tuesday. (Ferris, 5/10)
The Associated Press:
Cuomo Names Task Force To Address Ongoing Heroin Problem
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has appointed a task force aimed at ending what he called a crisis of heroin and opioid addiction continuing to plague families and communities in New York. The group is chaired by Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul and Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez, commissioner of the state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. The other 21 members include representatives of health care, drug treatment, advocacy, law enforcement and education. (5/10)
