[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Pages 2885-2886]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




COMPREHENSIVE ADDICTION AND RECOVERY BILL AND FILLING THE SUPREME COURT 
                                VACANCY

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, later this morning the Senate will have 
an opportunity to take decisive action to address our Nation's 
devastating prescription opioid and heroin epidemic.
  The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act is good legislation that 
will help tackle this crisis by expanding education and prevention 
initiatives, improving treatment programs, and bolstering law 
enforcement efforts. This authorization bill, in conjunction with the 
$400 million appropriated for opioid-specific programs just a few 
months ago, can make important strides in combating the growing 
addiction and overdose problem we have seen in every one of our States.
  In Kentucky, what we have seen is some of the highest drug overdose 
rates in the country, and we know all too well that the work that must 
be done to overcome this crisis lies before us. Kentuckians also know 
the positive impact this legislation can have.
  Let me remind you of what a top anti-drug official from Northern 
Kentucky said about CARA. She said this bill ``will address the growing 
needs of our communities in getting appropriate treatment to those who 
are suffering . . . [and] allow individuals, families, and communities 
to heal from this scourge.'' So we will keep working hard to build on 
these efforts so that fewer Americans ever have to know the heartache 
of drug addiction and overdose.
  I appreciate the work of Senators on both sides of the aisle to 
advance this bill. On the Democratic side, that includes the junior 
Senator from Rhode Island and the senior Senator from Minnesota. On the 
Republican side, that includes Senator Ayotte from New Hampshire. She 
cares deeply about this issue and has studied the problem carefully. 
She has seen the effect it has had on her home State, and she has 
worked hard to do something about it.
  Now, of course, today's vote on CARA would not have been possible at 
all without the leadership and work of other colleagues. I particularly 
want to mention Senator Portman from Ohio, who has been involved with 
this for several years, from the very beginning, in developing this 
important legislation for our country. He has worked diligently over 
the past few years as the lead Republican sponsor of this much-needed 
bill. He has held many meetings and expert conferences to get an even 
greater understanding of the issue. We appreciate the long hours he has 
devoted to addressing this national crisis through the legislation we 
will pass today.
  And of course, we thank the senior Senator from Iowa, Mr. Grassley, 
the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, for everything he has done to 
make this moment possible. He understands the urgency of addressing 
this epidemic, and we all appreciate the very important role he played 
in guiding this legislation to passage.
  Indeed, this critical legislation to address America's national drug 
epidemic languished in a previous Senate Judiciary Committee, but then 
Chairman Grassley came along. Under a new chairman and a new Republican 
majority, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act became a real 
priority. It passed the committee swiftly, and it will pass the Senate 
today.
  Important legislation to help the victims of modern slavery 
languished in a previous Senate Judiciary Committee, but then Chairman 
Grassley came along. Under a new chairman and a new Republican 
majority, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act became a real 
priority. It passed the committee swiftly, and then it passed the 
Senate.
  The list goes on. Here is the chairman who has worked to give voices 
to the voiceless. He also has a passion for letting Iowans and the 
American people be heard. No wonder he is working so hard now to give 
the people a voice in the direction of the Supreme Court.
  The next Supreme Court Justice could dramatically change the 
direction of the Court and our country for a generation. It is a change 
in direction that could have significant implications for the rights we 
hold dear. That includes our Second Amendment rights and our First 
Amendment rights, things such as Americans' ability to speak out 
politically and practice their religion freely.
  The American people obviously deserve to have a voice in this matter. 
It is the fairest and most reasonable approach we could take. During 
our current national conversation, Americans

[[Page 2886]]

could make their voices heard on the kind of judicial philosophy they 
favor.
  One view says that judges should be committed to an even-handed 
interpretation of the law and the Constitution so that every American 
gets a fair shake. Another view--the so-called empathy standard that 
President Obama favors--says that judges should, on critical questions, 
rely on their personal ideology to resolve a case.
  I know which view Justice Scalia took. He said that setting aside 
one's personal views is one of the primary qualifications for a judge. 
``If you're going to be a good and faithful judge, you have to resign 
yourself to the fact you're not always going to like the conclusions 
you reach.''
  The American people will have the chance to make their voices heard 
in the matter, and that is thanks to a dedicated Senator from Iowa who 
continues to stand strong for Americans' right to have a say. Chairman 
Grassley has gotten a lot done under the new majority, just as the 
Senate has gotten a lot done under the new majority. We will mark 
another important accomplishment for the American people this morning 
with the passage of CARA.
  Now Senators have a choice. Senators can endlessly debate an issue 
where the parties don't agree or they can keep working together in 
areas where we do. I say we should continue doing our work, and the 
American people should continue making their voices heard. That is good 
for the country, and that is the best way forward now.

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