[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 164 (Wednesday, October 3, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6456-S6457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              FAA REAUTHORIZATION AND THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC

  Mr. McCONNELL. Now, on a completely different matter, Mr. President, 
the Senate is also attending to other matters of critical, nationwide 
importance this week.
  Today, we will pass a fulsome reauthorization for the critical 
functions of the Federal Aviation Administration. We will also take up 
and pass landmark opioids legislation. It is set to deliver major 
relief to American communities that have been decimated by the scourge 
of substance abuse and addiction.
  Every one of our colleagues represents families who have grappled 
with the loss of livelihoods and loved ones at the hands of this 
crisis, and nearly every one of them has contributed provisions to make 
this a truly comprehensive response.
  The legislation before us is the collaborative product of 
contributions from 70-plus Members of this body. Five different 
committees had a say. The result is a landmark package that will 
deliver critical resources to establish opioid-specific recovery 
centers and equip local medical practitioners. It will help law 
enforcement to stop the flow of opioids across borders and increase 
safeguards against overprescription.
  I hope each of my colleagues will join me in voting to pass this 
landmark legislation. I hope they will join me in getting more 
assistance, more tools, and more training in the hands of first 
responders.
  There will be more access to housing and work opportunities for those 
in recovery, thanks to my CAREER Act--which, I am proud to say, is 
included in this legislation--and more resources for State, local, and 
community leaders as they stand up treatment and recovery programs.
  With today's vote, the Senate will say this to every American 
affected by

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the opioid epidemic: America is fighting back against this crisis. More 
help is on the way.

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