WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding his bipartisan legislation and the President’s announcement to address our nation’s drug epidemic:
“I’d like to note that President Obama will be travelling to West Virginia today with ONDCP Director Botticelli to announce additional steps the federal government will take to address America’s prescription drug abuse and heroin epidemic.
“This epidemic has been particularly devastating to my constituents.
“Today, drug overdoses, principally driven by painkillers, claim more Kentucky lives than car accidents.
“Today, increased heroin overdose rates account for nearly a third of all drug overdose deaths in the Commonwealth.
“And today, thousands of innocent babies are born dependent on opioids.
“I recently hosted Director Botticelli in Kentucky to discuss critical issues like these. I’m encouraged to see both he and the President engaged and proposing certain steps that my home state of Kentucky has embraced.
“Drug abuse isn’t a partisan issue. Many members of the Senate are actively engaged on the matter. I know the President will be joined today both by West Virginia’s Republican Senator and Democratic Senator.
“Finding solutions to this epidemic will require all of us – Republicans and Democrats alike – working together at the federal, state and local levels.
“So today’s announcement is encouraging, because it’s always positive to see Republicans and Democrats working together to address this epidemic. And here’s another bipartisan opportunity for us to work together on this issue: let’s pass S. 799, the Protecting Our Infants Act. I hope the Senate will pass that important bipartisan legislation soon.”