(WATCH) Fitzpatrick speaks in support of the CONNECTIONS Act

Washington, DC– Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08), vice chair of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force, joins the U.S House of Representatives as it begins its two-week long consideration of dozens of bills to combat the opioid crisis. As of Tuesday evening, the House passed 25 bipartisan bills to combat the opioid epidemic. The House unanimously passed Fitzpatrick’s legislation to strengthen state Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs).

“As communities across Bucks and Montgomery County continue to deal with the crisis of opioid abuse and addictions, the House is targeting key aspects of the opioid epidemic to boost our prevention efforts, protect our communities, expand access to treatment and recovery services, and crack down on illicit imports of drugs like fentanyl,” said Fitzpatrick. “As a longtime proponent of states fully utilizing Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs to track controlled-substance purchases, I’m proud the House passed my CONNECTIONS Act, which would strengthen PDMPs as they examine the best ways to prevent prescription drug abuse. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance measures to combat this epidemic.”                                                     

The CONNECTIONS Act [H.R. 5812], authored by Reps. Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Morgan Griffith (R-VA), and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) will improve federal support for state Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs). It authorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to award grants and provide assistance to state or local governments. This legislation also provides for enhanced collection of substance abuse data.

Fitzpatrick has sponsored or co-sponsored serval pieces of legislation to be considered by the Full House of Representatives this month.