U.S. House Passes Davids’ Bipartisan Bill to Help People in Recovery Rejoin the Workforce

Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Representative Sharice Davids’ bipartisan legislation to address the impact of substance use on America’s workforce. The legislation would reauthorize the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry (CAREER) Act, which supports individuals recovering from substance use disorder, ensuring they can reenter the workforce and maintain gainful employment. The bill, originally introduced alongside Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY-06), was passed as part of the bipartisan Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization (SUPPORT) Act.

“Substance use has devastated far too many Kansas families, and we must ensure those recovering from addiction are supported and have access to good-paying jobs,” said Davids. “Today, my colleagues from both sides of the aisle joined me in helping those folks recovering from substance use find employment and live independently. There are so many local organizations who walk alongside our neighbors in recovery, and I’m proud to support them with the CAREER Act.”

Davids’ CAREER Act would reauthorize the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Treatment, Recovery, and Workforce Support Grant Program, which helps determine workforce gaps and coordinate employment and training activities for individuals in recovery. The reauthorization would also increase funding for the program and allow the grants to be used for transportation between work, training, and recovery services. 

"The CAREER Act has played a key role in supporting workforce development, vocational training, and skill-building in our communities," said Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY-06). "By renewing its authorization, we can make this essential program even more effective, ensuring American workers have what they need to thrive in today's job market. Given the ongoing battle our nation faces with substance abuse, especially the opioid crisis in Kentucky, it's crucial that we focus on helping and providing resources to those working towards recovery."

To ensure a safer and healthier community, Davids has made it a priority to address the opioid and fentanyl epidemic head-on. She hosted multiple summits with law enforcement, health care workers, and education professionals on combating the fentanyl epidemic and has taken a number of legislative actions based on the specific needs of the Kansas Third District, including:

• Securing a nearly $16 million grant to help law enforcement seize illicit drugs like fentanyl, reduce violent crime associated with drug trafficking, and improve data collection.
• Voting to permanently place all fentanyl-related substances into a Schedule I class, labeling the drug with a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use.
• Joining a bipartisan group of lawmakers to request funding for new handheld mass spectrometry trace-level chemical detection devices at domestic ports.
• Urging the FDA to take up expert recommendations and make Narcan, a common naloxone nasal spray, available without a prescription — which they did earlier this year.
• Helping pass a bipartisan bill to create a public awareness campaign about synthetic opioids. This came after meeting with Libby Davis, a Johnson County resident whose son passed away after taking a counterfeit pill that was unknowingly laced with fentanyl.
• Pushing for expanded federal grant opportunities, so law enforcement and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) can easily acquire life-saving naloxone kits.
• Visiting the Port of Long Beach to see how the port uses state-of-the-art technologies to prevent harmful substances — like fentanyl — from entering the country illegally.