WASHINGTON, DC – Coming on the heels of the House passing their opioid package, including 11 bills from the House Energy and Commerce Committee, lawmakers are set to enter into a conference to work out differences between the bills passed in each chamber. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) today appointed full committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) to help lead the House negotiators in finalizing the opioid legislative package with the Senate. Ryan also announced seven Republican members of the committee will be among the House conferees.

Conferees include:

• Chairman Fred Upton


• Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-PA), Health Subcommittee Chairman


• Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Health Subcommittee Vice Chairman


• Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ)


• Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL)


• Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN)


• Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN)

Committee member Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) was also appointed to the conference, and will serve as a representative to the Veterans Affairs Committee.

“Every community in Michigan and across the country is suffering, and we are going to get the job done,” said full committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). “We’ve got a multi-pronged approach that attacks the opioid and drug abuse epidemic from all sides – putting an emphasis on treatment for addiction and overdoses, prescribing practices, and delivery of medicines. It’s all hands on deck for this crisis, and we will deliver bipartisan solutions that will help make a difference.”

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