On the recordMay 11, 2016
I am pleased to bring this rule forward today on behalf of the Rules Committee. The rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5046, the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act of 2016, and H.R. 4641, a bill to establish an interagency task force to review, modify, and update best practices for pain management and for prescribing pain medication. For H.R. 5046, the rule provides for 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. And for H.R. 4641, the rule provides for 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Both rules are structured rules that make in order numerous amendments. Yesterday the Rules Committee received testimony from members of the Judiciary Committee, the Energy and Commerce Committee, and multiple other Members on their amendments. H.R. 5046 was marked up by the Judiciary Committee, and H.R. 4641 was reported by the Energy and Commerce Committee. Both bills have broad bipartisan support. These bills are part of the House's effort to combat our Nation's growing opioid epidemic. They reflect a commitment to address this devastating problem in a constructive and meaningful way. Opioid abuse hits communities all across this country, rich and poor, rural, suburban, and urban, and it takes a major toll.…
