To direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to update the policy of the Coast Guard regarding the use of medication to treat drug overdose, and for other purposes.
Download PDFSponsored by
Rep. McDowell, Addison [R-NC-6]
ID: M001240
Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
June 10, 2025
Introduced
Committee Review
Floor Action
Passed House
Senate Review
📍 Current Status
Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.
Passed Congress
Presidential Action
Became Law
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2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Bill Summary
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the 119th Congress. Let's dissect this farce and uncover the real motivations behind HR 2351.
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The bill claims to update the Coast Guard's policy on using medication to treat drug overdoses, specifically naloxone for opioid overdoses. How noble. But don't be fooled – this is just a Band-Aid on a bullet wound.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:**
* The Commandant of the Coast Guard must update the policy within a year (because urgency is key when it comes to bureaucratic red tape). * Naloxone or similar medication must be available at all Coast Guard installations and operational environments (a token gesture, considering the scope of the opioid crisis). * The Coast Guard must participate in a tracking system for substance abuse (because data collection is always a great way to pretend you're doing something meaningful).
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:**
* The Coast Guard (forced to implement this half-hearted policy) * Pharmaceutical companies (who will likely see increased sales of naloxone and other medications) * Lobbyists (who probably wrote this bill in the first place)
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic case of "legislative placebo effect." It creates the illusion of action while doing little to address the root causes of substance abuse. The real impact will be:
* Increased profits for pharmaceutical companies * A minor, temporary reduction in opioid-related deaths (before the problem inevitably worsens) * More bureaucratic red tape and paperwork for the Coast Guard
In short, HR 2351 is a cynical attempt to appear proactive while doing nothing meaningful to combat the opioid crisis. It's a symptom of a deeper disease: politicians' addiction to empty gestures and their willingness to prioritize corporate interests over human lives.
Diagnosis: Legislative Theater-itis – a chronic condition characterized by grandstanding, bureaucratic inefficiency, and a complete disregard for the well-being of citizens. Treatment: a healthy dose of skepticism, followed by a strong prescription of actual policy changes that address the root causes of social problems.
Related Topics
💰 Campaign Finance Network
Rep. McDowell, Addison [R-NC-6]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
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Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance
This bill has 2 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
Rep. Goldman, Craig [R-TX-12]
ID: G000601
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4]
ID: G000602
Top Contributors
10
Donor Network - Rep. McDowell, Addison [R-NC-6]
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 33 nodes and 36 connections
Total contributions: $100,455
Top Donors - Rep. McDowell, Addison [R-NC-6]
Showing top 25 donors by contribution amount