WASHINGTON –  U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) joined Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) to introduce the Cutting off Rampant Access to Crack Kits (CRACK) Act. The bill would amend Section 2706 of the Democrat-approved American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-2) to prohibit any funds from directly or indirectly purchasing, supplying or distributing crack pipes or similar drug paraphernalia. 

“The Biden administration’s proposals to spend taxpayer dollars get more outlandish each day. From $450,000 payments to illegal immigrants, to this absurd plan to fund distribution of crack pipes, this administration is out-of-touch and unbelievably reckless,” Boozman said. “This legislation makes certain taxpayers won’t be on the hook for illicit drug paraphernalia.”

“The Biden administration is in cleanup mode because they got caught funding crack pipe distribution. There’s never anything safe about giving drug paraphernalia to addicts,” Cotton said.

This week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) appeared to confirm part of a $30 million grant program would go toward "smoking kits/supplies,” which frequently includes crack pipes. The Biden administration reversed course, prompting the outcry of activist groups that argue “pipe distribution is healthcare.”

The legislation is also supported by Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tim Scott (R-SC), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Mike Braun (R-IN), Rick Scott (R-FL), Steve Daines (R-MT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Kennedy (R-LA), John Thune (R-SD) and John Barrasso (R-WY).