Press Releases

Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) today sent a letter to Department of Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta regarding the national opioid public health emergency. The letter urged the Secretary to fight the scourge of addiction by using the Job Corps program to engage young adults and improve their employment outcomes and recovery efforts.

“The prospect of a job increases hope and encourages Americans recovering from and responding to the opioid epidemic, and a robust local economy also helps a community rebuild itself,” wrote Chairwoman Foxx and Rep. Smucker. “Leveraging our existing workforce development infrastructure to provide Americans the skills they need to overcome addiction and pursue their American dream is a critical part of combating this epidemic.”

Background: Yesterday, the House of Representatives voted to approve several Education and Workforce bills designed to combat opioids, and provide relief to those who have been impacted by the opioid abuse of a coworker or loved one. These bills play a crucial role in the fight against opioids, and will address the needs of people who have traditionally been left behind by the epidemic.

To read Chairwoman Foxx and Rep. Smucker’s letter to Secretary Acosta, click here.

To learn more about the Committee’s opioid legislation, click here.

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