Congress must learn from the past. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, or CARA, was an important milestone.

Each statistic is disturbing. Even more tragic, every number has a name.

No community is immune to the opioid epidemic. It's ripping apart the very fabric of our neighborhoods.

Lawmakers must acknowledge the present. In 2016, opioid overdose deaths from both prescription and illicit drugs were five times higher than 1999.

This begins the process to try and turn off the access to these illicit drugs.

No community is immune from the opioid epidemic. It is ripping apart the very fabric of our neighborhoods.

Working together, we can help.

The sharpest increase in drug overdose deaths in 2015 to 2016 was fueled by a surge in overdoses involving fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and synthetic opioids.

We can do a lot of work here to get pipelines and power lines and broadband going. But if we don't have the skilled workforce necessary to do the work, we got a problem.

Energy, truly the driving force in our economy and our country, and our hearing today is focused on ways to expand and improve and modernize our infrastructure.

I applaud President Trump for not only recognizing the need to improve all facets of our nation's infrastructure but also for demonstrating the leadership needed to push forward this major initiative for our country.

I know I've worked closely with IBEW out in Oregon--Local 48 and 659, I think--and toured the apprentice operation there. It's very impressive.

I would like to touch on too when I did a series of town halls last spring we got some development underway or proposed in Oregon and some who tried to block this sort of development ridicule these jobs as temporary jobs.

Today's hearing exploring the 'State of the Nation's Energy Infrastructure' is another important step in our commitment to put the needs of consumers first.

It's a top priority for Members on every side in this committee.

I border Washington, Idaho, Nevada, and California with my district, and I know this is an issue I've heard about out there.

It's our belief that reforms are necessary to both strengthen and secure the program so it can best serve low-income populations.

We want to make sure it goes to the right places for effective purposes.

Given that addressing the opioid epidemic has bipartisan support and President Trump's leadership and commitment to this issue, it is my hope and belief this committee will deliver additional legislation this spring.

I know in my State more people die from opioids overdoses than in traffic accidents, and I think that's pretty close to the case across the country.

Oxygen is becoming a real problem, and this is something that I hope the administration will act on expeditiously.

We need to get it all the way down to the President's desk to have national standards and improve our roadways.

It's good to have you out.

The fun never stops.

I thank the gentleman for his comments. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter). Buddy Carter is a distinguished member of our committee. He worked with him on a lot of different issues, healthcare, and different…