Republicans in Congress shot down attempts by Democrats to add hundreds of millions of dollars to a bill aimed at preventing and treating opioid abuse.
Republicans from the Senate and House who were part of a conference committee crafting a final bill to be voted on in both chambers voted down amendments offered by Democrats that would have brought the bill’s price tag up to $920 million. The bill currently only includes $85 million over five years for treatment efforts.
Democratic aides told The New York Times on Thursday the rejection of the additional funding could mean that the minority party will not support the final bill, but The Hill reported on Friday that many Democrats would ultimately support the bill, despite their frustration with the low level of funding.
Both the House and Senate are scheduled to vote on the bill on Friday. The only realistic way for Democrats to block the bill would be to mount a filibuster in the Senate. At least 41 Democrats would be needed to prevent a vote on the bill.
Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., the chairman of the House Democratic caucus, described the final bill as little more than a symbolic expression of support for combating the opioid epidemic that has ravaged communities across the country over the past decade.
"It's becoming a bit of a joke to say we're concerned and want to do something, when the only thing we'll do is shell of what it actually takes," he told The Times.
President Obama echoed those sentiments through White House spokesman Josh Earnest.
“Passing a bill that is doing little more than paying lip service to the problem falls woefully short of Congress’s basic responsibility," said Earnest, who left the possibility of a veto open.
Treatment advocates who are hoping for more funding might win some consolation from Republicans, who are considering a separate health bill that would authorize more than $500 million for opioid treatment.
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