A Democratic congressman on Wednesday blasted a bipartisan set of proposals focused on addiction, arguing that current congressional efforts will barely scratch the surface of the U.S. drug crisis.
The criticism from Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) came during a subcommittee hearing at which lawmakers advanced several bills focused on the substance use and overdose epidemic.
Though he acknowledged the package includes “some good policies,” Tonko said the bills currently being considered “lack ambition” — a significant rebuke from one of Capitol Hill’s biggest advocates for expanding addiction treatment.
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