Ryan-aligned PAC launches ads touting House-passed opioid bills

American Action Network (AAN), a nonprofit aligned with House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), launched a $2.5 million ad campaign Friday touting House efforts to tackle the opioid epidemic. 

The House has passed more than 50 bills last month to combat the epidemic, and the Senate is still working on its own package. 

{mosads}“We thank the House for working in a bipartisan fashion to curb opioid addiction and provide resources for treatment and recovery,” said Corry Bliss, AAN Executive Director.

“However, there is still more to be done, and AAN’s latest campaign urges both Republicans and Democrats to continue fighting on behalf of families across the country who are suffering because of this crisis every day.”

In the ads, a woman named Kelly tells the story of her son, Joel, who died after becoming addicted to OxyContin. 

“With all the arguing in Washington, the opioid epidemic hasn’t gotten enough attention,” she said.

She urges voters to thank their member of Congress for “fighting against opioid addiction.”  

The ads will air in 10 congressional districts ahead of November’s midterm election, including some with competitive races for Republican incumbents, including GOP Reps. Mike Coffman (Colo.) Peter Roskam (Ill.), Andy Barr (Ky.), Bruce Poliquin (Maine), Claudia Tenney (N.Y.), Steve Chabot (Ohio), and Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.) 

An ad will also air in the district of Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), the chairman of the House subcommittee that led the work on the bills. 

AAN is also airing the ads in the districts of two Democrats running in uncompetitive races: Reps. Katherine Clark (Mass.) and Mark DeSaulnier (Calif.) 

AAN has now spent $4.5 million on ads highlighting the opioid epidemic.