Opioid Crisis Response Act
Opioid Bill Containing Dr. Rand Paul’s Provisions to Expand Access to Treatment Passes Senate
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY)
October 3, 2018
“The opioid epidemic has devastated individuals and families throughout Kentucky and all across America, which is why I’ve led the fight to expand access to treatment by removing artificial roadblocks so more people are able to get the help they need. I applaud Congress for building on the progress we have made in the last few years by permanently extending the increased patient cap for Suboxone and ensuring more health care providers can administer treatment, and I look forward to the President signing this important bipartisan legislation into law,” said Dr. Paul.
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Senator David Perdue: It’s Time To Tackle The Opioid Epidemic Head On
Senator David Perdue (R-GA)
October 3, 2018
“Last year, President Trump declared the opioid crisis a national Public Health Emergency. Since then, the Trump Administration has worked closely with Congress to ensure that local, state, and federal law enforcement have the tools they need to stop illegal drugs from flooding across our southern border. This bill will also prevent the escalation of opioid prescription fraud within Medicare. We’ve got to stop the spread of opioids through our communities in Georgia and across the country. It’s time to tackle this epidemic head on, and this bill gives states the necessary tools to see that mission through.”
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On Senate Floor, Portman Says Bipartisan Opioids Legislation is a “Turning Point”
Senator Rob Portman (R-OH)
October 3, 2018
“To those I represent who are struggling with addiction, to those who have friends or loved ones who struggle or continue to struggle with addiction and to the millions of people in communities across this country who have been crippled by this crisis, this legislation is the turning point. It is a glimmer of hope. It’s a glimmer of hope at the end of a dark tunnel.”
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Reed Votes to Advance Opioid Legislation
Senator Jack Reed (D - RI)
October 3, 2018
“This is an important step forward to help save lives, improve treatment, and address the opioid health problem in Rhode Island and nationwide. We still have a long way to go, but this will help target more resources to effective, community-based solutions and expand access to treatment. I am pleased we got bipartisan support to establish comprehensive opioid recovery centers, and I will continue working with my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to direct more assistance to communities in need,” said Reed, who noted that the House and Senate have appropriated $8.5 billion in this calendar year to help fight the opioid crisis.
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Bipartisan, Bicameral Effort Will Help Combat Opioid Epidemic
Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD)
October 3, 2018
“Opioid addiction is a devastating epidemic that has spread to all corners of our society. Nobody is immune from opioid addiction, and many of us may know someone who is struggling right now. The bill we passed today will help put a stop to the heartbreaking issue of opioid abuse in our country. It can help save lives and keep our communities safe and secure. I am glad that members of the Senate and House from both parties could come together to pass this important legislation that will make a difference in the lives of South Dakotans.”
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Senate Passes Opioids Package with Rubio Provision to Eliminate Patient Brokering
Senator Marco Rubio (R - FL)
October 3, 2018
“After touring a sober homes neighborhood in Pompano Beach earlier this year, I saw firsthand the challenges South Florida is facing in combatting its opioid crisis,” Rubio said. “That’s why I’ve been working hard in Washington to ensure we are doing everything possible for Americans to receive life-saving care and to ensure patients are protected from those seeking to exploit victims of addiction. This bill will help the many Americans struggling with addiction, and I’m proud of the provisions I secured, including measures to ensure necessary care for newborn babies suffering from opioid withdrawal, prevent unused drugs from ending up in the wrong hands, and target disreputable clinics and sober homes to ensure wrongdoers are punished. I thank my colleagues in the House and Senate for their help in securing these important provisions, and I look forward to seeing this bill signed into law.”
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FAA Reauthorization
Peters Provision Allowing Airports to Discontinue PFAS To Be Signed Into Law
Senator Gary Peters (D-MI)
October 3, 2018
The legislation aims to address the high volume of requests from airports battling current and potential future environmental hazards and remediation costs due to PFAS-related contamination. The Peters language will open pathways for state, commercial and private airports to adhere to the National Fire Protection Association’s widely used performance standard the Aircraft Rescue and Fire-fighting Services at Airports, into their daily operations. The legislation will not prevent airports from using fluorinated compounds if they still wish to use them, but airports will no longer be required to do so. It is supported by the Airports Council International, the American Association of Airport Executives, and the International Association of Fire Fighters.
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Sen. Pat Roberts’ Statement on FAA Reauthorization
Senator Pat Roberts (R - KS)
October 3, 2018
“The aviation industry is one of Kansas’ most important economic sectors,” said Sen. Roberts. “This legislation not only benefits the aviation industry, but will also make air travel safer and more efficient. I’m glad the Senate and House were able to work together to pass this bipartisan bill.”
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Rounds Statement on Five-Year FAA Reauthorization Act
Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD)
October 3, 2018
“Making sure the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has the tools in place to modernize and improve U.S. aviation will benefit all air travelers,” said Rounds. “I’m pleased that the five-year FAA reauthorization bill passed by the Senate includes provisions I cosponsored to improve protections for volunteer pilots, recruit more airline maintenance workers and protect sports medical professionals traveling across state lines with their teams. It also includes reauthorization of the Essential Air Service Program, which is so important to a number of our rural communities in South Dakota. I thank Sen. Thune for his work on this important legislation and I look forward to President Trump signing this bill into law.”
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Senate Passes FAA Reauthorization Package with Key Rubio Provisions
Senator Marco Rubio (R - FL)
October 3, 2018
“I was proud to work with my colleagues to secure several important provisions for Florida that will help communities throughout the state, and Puerto Rico, to recover from disasters, enhance aviation security, and modernize the nation’s current aviation and aerospace systems to meet future needs,” Rubio said. “Notably, this package includes an overdue fix that I have long advocated for which limits FEMA’s ability to claw-back funds several years, and sometimes decades, after communities use these needed dollars to recover from devastating natural events. I look forward to the President signing this bill into law to improve FEMA’s deobligation process, giving our cities and counties the much-needed clarity they deserve.”
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Other News
Risch Applauds President's Nomination of Dr. Rita Baranwal to Serve as Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at DOE
Senator James E. Risch (R - ID)
October 3, 2018
“The President made an excellent choice for Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at DOE. As the director of DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) initiative at INL, the nation’s flagship nuclear energy facility, and previous service as Director of Technology Development and Application at Westinghouse, Dr. Rita Baranwal is uniquely qualified for this position and has a thorough understanding of DOE’s assets, specifically the national labs, and nuclear programs. The men and women who work at INL are exceptionally talented, and I know Dr. Baranwal will make Idaho proud.”
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Rounds Opening Statement at EPW Subcommittee Hearing on the EPA’s Use of Sound and Transparent Science
Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD)
October 3, 2018
“The EPA has a long history of creating burdensome, unnecessary regulations without giving the public an opportunity to fully vet the reasoning behind their decisions,” said Rounds. “Sound, reliable science is vital to helping us make important policy decisions that impact not just the health of American families but their livelihoods. We should welcome vigorous debate on the science the EPA relies upon. Doing so will result in regulations that have the greatest benefit to human health and the environment while doing the least harm to the economy. It will also result in regulations that can withstand legal challenges, providing industry with a level of certainty that allows them to make long-term investment decisions.”
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Rubio Leads Colleagues in Urging Federal Commission to Create Central Authority for School Safety
Senator Marco Rubio (R - FL)
October 3, 2018
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) led his Senate and House colleagues in urging Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, and members of the Federal Commission on School Safety, to include in their final recommendation the creation of a central authority to help school districts seeking to improve safety features within new and existing schools. The letter urges DeVos “to ensure tight coordination and collaboration of effort among all federal agencies that are working on different aspects of school safety in order to eliminate duplication, redundancy, and waste of valuable resources.” The Commission, led by Secretary DeVos, also includes Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen.
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Rubio, Cardin to Pompeo: U.S. Must Lead on Syria Accountability
Senator Marco Rubio (R - FL)
October 3, 2018
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo regarding the implementation of legislation they wrote to help America lead in seeking accountability from Bashar al-Assad and other perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Syria. The senators also expressed concern about the administration’s decision to reprogram $230 million in FY17 foreign assistance funds planned for Syria stabilization activities.
