Mackenzie, Krishnamoorthi Introduce Workforce Recovery and Resilience Act to Address Substance Use Crisis

Washington, D.C. - This week, Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (R, PA-07), representing the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos, introduced the bipartisan Workforce Recovery and Resilience Act alongside Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D, IL-08). This legislation will help to protect workers and support communities impacted by substance use disorder.

Important progresshas been made in the fight against substance abuse, but it continues to affect millions of Americans, including many who are currently working or trying to reenter the workforce. An estimated 46 millionAmericans aged 18 or older have experienced a substance use disorder, and nearly two-thirds of those individuals-30.1 million people-are employed. In Pennsylvania, communities continue to feel the impact of addiction, with a substance abuse death rate of 37.1 per 100,000in 2023.

The Workforce Recovery and Resilience Act updates the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to better equip states and local workforce boards to respond to these challenges. The bill directs the U.S. Department of Labor to identify and share best practices for addressing the workforce impacts of substance use disorder and creates new grant opportunities to support job training tied to treatment and recovery services.

"Substance use disorder doesn't just impact individuals and families-it impacts our workforce, our economy, and entire communities," said Congressman Mackenzie."This bill takes a practical approach to supporting workers, assisting in recovery, and giving communities the tools they need to respond. As we continue to make progress in the fight against opioids and substance abuse, it's more important than ever that we find innovative approaches to accelerate our national recovery from the scourge of addiction."

"Substance use disorder continues to devastate families, workplaces, and communities across our country, and Congress must meet this crisis with the urgency it demands. Our legislation takes a comprehensive approach to addressing both the human and economic toll of addiction by strengthening workforce training, expanding pathways into treatment and behavioral health professions, and supporting workers on the road to recovery. By investing in people, public health, and economic opportunity, we can help more Americans return to stable employment and give communities the tools they need to confront this epidemic head-on," said Congressman Krishnamoorthi.

The legislation establishes a new category of National Dislocated Worker Grants to fund employment and training programs related to substance use disorder prevention and treatment. These programs can include training for careers in addiction treatment, mental health care, and pain management, fields where demand continues to grow.

The bill also expands eligibility for workforce training to include individuals who are unemployed or underemployed due to the impacts of substance use in their communities, as well as those seeking to enter professions that support treatment and recovery.

The Workforce Recovery and Resilience Act builds on Congressman Mackenzie's ongoing efforts to address workforce challenges, expand access to mental health resources, and address the opioid epidemic. As part of the FY 2026 appropriations process, Mackenzie successfully advocated for an increase in resources for screening and treatment for maternal mental health and substance use disorders.

Bill text available here.