03.10.16

Senate Passes Bipartisan Bill to Combat Nation's Opioid Epidemic

'The bipartisan CARA bill would not have passed today without the strong dedication of Senators like Rob Portman, Kelly Ayotte, and the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Chuck Grassley.'

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement today following the Senate passage of the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA):

“I’m proud of the Senate’s decisive, bipartisan action to help address America’s growing prescription opioid and heroin epidemic. The bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act will help combat the prescription opioid and heroin epidemic at every level: by improving education and awareness, by expanding overdose prevention and prescription drug-monitoring programs, and by bolstering law enforcement’s ability to fight back.

“President Obama’s drug czar said this comprehensive and evidence-based legislation contains provisions that are ‘critically important to make headway’ on the issue, which helps explain why it’s supported by more than 130 groups dedicated to combatting this epidemic. The bipartisan CARA bill would not have passed today without the strong dedication of Senators like Rob Portman, Kelly Ayotte, and the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Chuck Grassley. Like these Senators, I’m going to keep working hard as we continue in our aim to ultimately overcome this epidemic.”

Related Issues: Back to Work, Opioid Abuse