[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 169 (Thursday, October 24, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6135-S6136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            OPIOID EPIDEMIC

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, on another matter, too many times I 
have had to come to the floor to speak about the pain inflicted on 
families and entire communities by opioid addiction and substance 
abuse.
  It is a crisis present in every ZIP Code, one that has wrecked lives 
throughout our country.
  My home State of Kentucky has been hit particularly hard, but I am 
relieved to say that we are seeing at least a glimmer of hope on the 
horizon.
  This past summer brought news of the first nationwide decrease--
decrease--in overdose fatalities in almost three decades. Kentucky saw 
a nearly 15-percent drop. After so much suffering, this is an 
indication that the tide may be starting to turn.
  The result has been hard-won, after years of coordinated efforts 
between States, localities, and Washington. It has been a nationwide 
response, and we in Congress, along with the Trump administration, have 
been focused on doing our part.
  Today marks the 1-year anniversary of one key part of our ongoing 
efforts. One year ago today, President Trump signed into law our 
landmark opioid legislation that will hopefully spare more families 
from the pain of addiction.
  This legislation included work from 5 different committees and 70 
Senators. Thanks to Chairman Lamar Alexander and so many of our 
colleagues, this significant package focused on providing innovative 
solutions, promoting long-term recovery, and empowering local leaders 
and first responders out on the frontlines.
  A little more than a year ago, it passed the Senate with overwhelming

[[Page S6136]]

bipartisan support. I am proud that two of my own bills were included 
in that package. The Protecting Moms and Infant Act safeguards of the 
addiction crisis from its heartbreaking consequences, and the CAREER 
Act addresses the major role that stable employment plays in long-term 
recovery. It encourages treatment facilities to form partnerships with 
local businesses and short-term housing facilities to ``hand up'' to 
those who need it.
  We are proud of what we accomplished a year ago, and I am proud that 
my Kentucky colleague, Representative   Andy Barr, is leading the push 
for the CAREER Act's companion legislation over in the House.
  But we know all too well that, unfortunately, this work is far, far 
from finished. That is why, this very week, the Senate is moving 
forward $25 million more for the CAREER Act's transitional housing 
pilot program in the domestic appropriations we are advancing here on 
the floor.
  The work will not stop there. This fight has been one of my top 
priorities since I became majority leader. We have put cutting-edge 
tools into the hands of healthcare professionals and first responders 
who face this crisis every single day.
  In my State alone, I helped secure an unprecedented $200 million to 
address the urgent crisis facing Kentuckians--a funding increase of 
more than 400 percent on this issue for Kentucky since I became 
majority leader.
  We have committed to a comprehensive strategy of prevention, 
treatment, and enforcement efforts. At my invitation, the White House 
drug czar, Jim Carroll, saw some of Kentucky's innovative leadership 
firsthand when he visited this past April. We have pushed the 
boundaries of research to find new ways to treat addiction and help 
families escape its painful consequences.
  Earlier this month I joined Secretary Azar, NIH Director Collins, and 
an all-star research team at the University of Kentucky to celebrate 
the largest Federal grant in the University of Kentucky's history. 
These new resources will fuel UK's bold commitment to cutting overdose 
deaths by 40 percent in 16 counties over the coming 3 years. I was 
proud to help secure those funds.
  Kentucky is proud that we are leading the national response, but I 
know my colleagues each have their own inspiring stories of how States 
are fighting back.
  As I said, the work is far from over, but today we take a moment to 
celebrate the progress of the past year. To help mark this anniversary, 
the First Lady of the United States joined us here in the Senate 
yesterday.
  I am proud to stand with her and the Trump administration and my 
colleagues in this body as we recommit ourselves to this effort.

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