Mike Collins: “I am pleased to bring this rule forward on behalf of the Rules Committee. The rule provides for consideration of S. 524…”

“I am pleased to bring this rule forward on behalf of the Rules Committee. The rule provides for consideration of S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. The rule provides for 1 hour of debate equally divided among and controlled by the chairs and ranking minority members of the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Judiciary Committee. {time} 0915 The rule also provides for an amendment in the nature of a substitute that consists of the 18 bills passed by the House this week to combat the opioid epidemic. Under the rule, if S. 524 is passed, it will be in order for the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee to request a conference with the Senate on the House-passed package of bills. Let me just emphasize this again for Members so they will understand the process. What we will do under the rule, if S. 524 is passed, it will then be made in order for the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee to request a conference with the Senate on the House-passed package of bills. Each of these 18 bills included in the House package passed the House with strong bipartisan support. The level of support for these bills is a sign of the recognition that something must be done about the opioid epidemic. You have seen Members who represent urban areas, Members who represent suburban areas, and Members like me who represent more rural areas support these bills. This problem does not discriminate.…”