Earlier today, the House voted to advance a package of bills that passed the House earlier this week. Eleven of the bills originated in the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The near-unanimous vote means the next step will be for the House and Senate to go to conference to work out the differences between their two bills.

“We owe this effort to the past, present, and sadly, future victims of the opioid epidemic – our neighbors, friends, and family, across every part of the country and every demographic group. We owe it to the families of Amy Bousfield and Marissa King (of Michigan). We owe it to all of those in our communities who are suffering from addiction,” wrote Chairman Upton earlier this week on the House Republicans blog.

May 13, 2016

GOP prepares opioid bills to send to Obama’s desk

The House on Friday put the finishing touches on a major package of legislation to address the opioids epidemic, which GOP leaders say could be one of their top achievements in 2016.

Lawmakers voted 400-5 on the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act — its version of the opioids legislation passed the Senate in March.

The sweeping bill passed Friday is the 18th measure on opioids approved this week, all on a broad bipartisan basis. The legislation will now move to a conference with the Senate package, and is likely to receive President Obama’s signature despite Democratic protests that the bill lacks sufficient funding. …

Click HERE to read the article online.

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