Press Releases

Today, U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) reintroduced the Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act to promote employment opportunities for workers in recovery and provide support to communities impacted by widespread substance use. 

“The opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities in Northwest Washington,” said Rep. Larsen. “This legislation would break down barriers to employment for people in recovery and fund local organizations to address the nationwide behavioral health workforce shortage. I will keep working to get this bill over the finish line and to regain momentum in the fight against the opioid crisis.”  

“For National Recovery Month, we celebrate those working to achieve and maintain recovery from addiction, and everyone who helped them along the way. Especially as families struggle to get ahead, it’s more important than ever that we help people in recovery overcome barriers to employment,” said Senator Markey. “This legislation will strengthen community partnerships that connect people with good jobs, peer support, and mentorship, supporting lasting recovery and helping communities heal.”    

“Addiction and substance use are deeply tied to economic instability and the shortage of behavioral health professionals,” said Rep. Jayapal. “Our bill takes these issues head on by investing in local organizations that help those affected by substance use gain employment and empower more people to pursue the behavioral health field. By promoting economic stability and increasing the number of healthcare specialists, we can get to the root of the substance abuse crisis and help communities across the country.”  

The Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act would reauthorize and expand a pilot grant program first authorized in the 2014 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and later extended by the 2018 SUPPORT Act. The bill would authorize a total of $187.5 million over six years to continue this lifesaving and community-strengthening work and award grants to state and local workforce development boards to partner with treatment providers, employers, education providers, Tribal organizations, legal services organizations, or other designated community-based organizations to support individuals impacted by substance use. These partnerships would leverage grant funding to implement innovative approaches to support workers and to provide wraparound services to its participants. 

The full text of the Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act is available here. 

A one-pager on the Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act is available here. 

Larsen Focused on Combating Opioid and Fentanyl Crisis 

Larsen continues to focus on supporting local efforts to fight the opioid epidemic and save lives. In 2024, he published a districtwide opioid report outlining a four-pillar framework to combat the crisis. In addition to the Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act, Larsen leads three bills aimed at combating the opioid epidemic: 

• In May 2026, Larsen reintroduced the bipartisan End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act to establish a dedicated federal funding stream to help multi-jurisdictional drug task forces combat opioid trafficking in Washington state and across the country. 

• In June 2025, Larsen reintroduced the bipartisan Protection for Reservation Occupants against Trafficking and Evasive Communications Today (PROTECT) Act to give Tribal courts and law enforcement more tools and resources to combat the opioid epidemic. 

• Larsen also leads the Closing the Substance Use Care Gap Act to expand access to lifesaving, community-based harm reduction initiatives and services and enhance the federal response to the opioid and fentanyl epidemic. 

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