Hoyer Statement on Senate Passage of School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act

Statement

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the Senate unanimously passed the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act, legislation he cosponsored with Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN) in the House:

"I am very pleased that the Senate unanimously passed the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act today -- legislation I have been pushing the Congress to adopt for several years. This bill, which I introduced with Rep. Dr. Phil Roe and which passed the House earlier this year, will save lives and provide parents and educators with peace of mind that students with food allergies will be safe at school.

"My granddaughter suffers from food allergies, and I know all too well how frightening it is to know that the tiniest exposure to an allergen can cause a dangerous and life-threatening reaction that requires immediate intervention. For those experiencing anaphylaxis as a result of exposure to an allergen, death can occur too quickly for bystanders to call 9-1-1 and wait for emergency medical responders to arrive. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly nine in ten schools have at least one student who suffers from food allergies -- and many don't realize they have a food allergy until the first time they are exposed to an allergen and suffer an attack. That's why maintaining a supply of epinephrine and training school staff to administer it in the event of an emergency is so critical.

"I thank those in the House and Senate who stood with me in this effort to save the lives of children and who voiced their strong support for this bill's enactment this year. I hope the President will sign it into law swiftly."

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