Chairman Guthrie Delivers Opening Remarks at Committee on Rules Hearing on the SUPPORT Act

on, on dealing with, uh, dealing with, are, are we here to help the most vulnerable in our society. I think this bill before us does. And you mentioned that it was a bipartisan bill, worked bipartisan matter of fact, the, the text before us today was actually included in the end of last year's bill. It was agreed upon in the text of this bill was agreed upon in the four corners as it came to the end of the year bill, which obviously didn't pass, but that's why we're here today because for far too long Americans have witnessed the unprecedented rise in drug overdose. and substance use disorders, creating an imminent need for prevention, treatment, and recovery services, the opioid epidemic and its associated overdose deaths have ravaged communities across the country. According to the most recent data, the CDC approximately 87,000 Americans have died due to overdoses from uh September 23rd to October 20 September 2023, October 2024. My home state of Kentucky, it's all close to 2000 overdose deaths in 2023. Well, these numbers represent a slight and a welcome decline and overdose deaths. We must remember that we still have these desks in each number represents somebody's family member, a friend or a neighbor, and all of us have been touched in some way. And I'm hopeful these numbers continue to decline and our communities receive a much needed res respite from an epidemic that has gone on for decades. This decline in overdose rates as a result of the significant investments we made in treatment and recovery. The work we have done in the previous Congress, as I reiterate, as bipartisan, that we're reauthorizing today is vital to ensure these overdose rates continue to decline. I'm grateful to be here today to discuss HR 2483, the support for patients, communities, Reauthorization Act of 2025 and how this legislation builds off the important work established by the original Support Act, which is signed into law by President Trump. In 2018, we're reauthorizing key public health programs focus on prevention, treatment, and recovery for patients with substance use disorder. The Support Act continues to supply resources for individuals and families impacted by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, promote state choice and prescription drug monitoring programs and allows for educational opportunities regarding the unique dangers of fentanyl contaminated drugs. I'm very proud of the bipartisan members of the Committee on Energy and Commerce have put into helping craft this Support Act. This is a common sense bill that received a strong and bipartisan voting committee. Between both the 118th and 119th congresses, Energy and Commerce Committee members have heard testimony from nearly 30 experts on how lawmakers can improve policies related to prevention, treatment and recovery for substance use disorder, as well as ways Congress can be more proactive in combating existing emergency drug threats. I'm reminded of the powerful testimony presented by Ray Cullen, who lost his son Zach. He was just 9 days past his 23rd birthday when he was targeted by a drug. and ultimately poisoned by the drugs. Ray powerfully recited for us the prayer he read at his son's funeral. He and his family, along with many others have experienced immeasurable pain from losing a child or a loved one. Their message is always the same. We need to get these lethal, lethal poisons off our streets and increase access to both treatment and recovery services for those who need it. I am hopeful that my colleagues will continue this bipartisan work with us in order to further provide these necessary resources so our communities are equipped with the tools to improve prevention, treatment and recovery services for patients with subsid use disorder. This legislation is vitally important. The Senate is ready to act. It is time to get the support act for patients and communities. Reauthorization Act signed into law. I thank you for your time and I yield back.