Delaney Cosponsors Legislation to Restore DEA Ability to Fight Opioid Epidemic, Suspend Licenses for Distributor Abuses

WASHINGTON – Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) is a cosponsor of the Opioid Immediate Suspension Order Act, legislation that restores the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) ability to suspend a pharmaceutical distributor’s license if the Attorney General believes there is an imminent danger to public health and safety. The Opioid Immediate Suspension Order Act was filed Monday by Congressman Gerry Connolly of Virginia.

The Connolly legislation overturns part of a bill enacted in 2016 which passed by unanimous consent procedures and avoided a floor vote by members.

“We absolutely have to restore the DEA’s ability to crack down on distributors who are flooding our communities with opioids,” said Congressman Delaney. “The opioid crisis has caused so much suffering in Maryland and it’s appalling that DEA authority was weakened via parliamentary procedure that is supposed to be reserved for non-controversial legislation. In addition to passing this legislation to empower the DEA to go after bad actors, we need to give law enforcement the resources they need, invest in public health, protect people’s access to treatment, and hold those who are responsible for this crisis accountable.”

Congressman Delaney has hosted Opioid Addiction Workshops in Hagerstown and Frederick this year, connecting constituents with experts, law enforcement officials, treatment providers and community resources.

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