The bill
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.
HR. 2351, 119th Congress β read as touching Pharmaceuticals.
Sponsored by
Rep. McDowell, Addison [R-NC-6]
ID: M001240
Follow the money
The bill
HR. 2351, 119th Congress β read as touching Pharmaceuticals.
The sponsor
Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.
The money
20 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.
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 9, 2025
π Current Status
Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
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!
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 β 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 β 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.
Rep. McDowell, Addison [R-NC-6]
Congress 119 β’ 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No organization contributions found
No committee contributions found
This bill has 2 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
ID: G000601
Top Contributors
10
ID: G000602
Top Contributors
10
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 43 nodes and 26 connections (40 secondary connections hidden)
Total contributions: $98,935
Showing top 17 donors by contribution amount
Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 2 helped.
Section 2(a) directs the Coast Guard to update policy regarding use of medication to treat drug overdoses, including naloxone or similar medication, which would increase demand for such pharmaceuticals.
Section 2(b) requires naloxone or similar medication to be available on Coast Guard installations and operational environments, implying procurement and distribution of medical delivery devices (e.g., auto-injectors, nasal spray devices).
For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Rep. McDowell, Addison [R-NC-6])received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022βpresent cycles. Donations are not proof of intent β they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.