WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Today, the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force welcomed Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) to serve as the Task Force’s fourth co-chair. Rep. McClain joins fellow Co-Chairs David Trone (D-MD), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Annie Kuster (D-NH) after an incredibly successful 117th Congress for the Task Force. The 130-Member strong coalition introduced over 100 bills led by both a Democrat and Republican – 26 of which passed into law.

“Mental health and substance use disorder are two of the biggest issues facing our country every single day,” said Congresswoman McClain. “Countless families are impacted by these epidemics, and I saw the effects firsthand when leading the North End Support Team in Macomb County before serving in Congress. I am honored to be a co-chair of this important Task Force and work to find solutions for the thousands of Americans who are in need of help.”

“Having fought the mental health and substance use disorder epidemics on the front lines in Michigan, Congresswoman McClain is a valued addition to our Task Force’s leadership,” said Congressman Trone. “These epidemics have left no community untouched, whether it’s conservative or liberal, urban or rural, on the coast or in the heartland. Working together as Republicans and Democrats, we remain committed to driving bipartisan solutions to fight for those in the shadows of life and save lives in American communities.”

“I’m thrilled to continue to co-chair this bipartisan task force that is focused on education, awareness, and meaningful action related to mental health and substance use disorders. I look forward to working with our new co-chair Congresswoman Lisa McClain,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “These tragic epidemics affect Pennsylvania and our nation, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force to take action to help the millions of individuals suffering.”

“Our Task Force is made stronger by having leadership from both sides of the aisle and all across the country,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “Addiction does not care about your politics or your zip code, and neither should our approach to addressing it. I am pleased to welcome Rep. McClain as a co-chair and look forward to our work together to end the addiction and mental health crisis.”

The Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force was established in 2021 by merging Rep. Trone’s Freshmen Working Group on Addiction with the Bipartisan Opioid Task Force, which was co-chaired by Reps. Kuster and Fitzpatrick in the 116th Congress and founded by Rep. Kuster in 2015. Today, the Task Force is comprised of over 130 Members working across the aisle to combat the mental health and substance use disorder epidemics in American communities. In the 117th Congress, the Task Force successfully passed 26 of its bills into law, all of which were led or co-led by both a Republican and a Democrat.

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