President Signs STOP Act into LawWASHINGTON – Congressman Mike Bishop (MI-08) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (TX-08) today released the following statements after President Donald J. Trump signed the bipartisan Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6) into law, which includes Congressman Bishop’s Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act of 2018 (H.R. 5788). “I am proud that my bill, the STOP Act, was included in this bipartisan opioid package signed into law by the president. Today’s an important victory for our nation and for all those suffering from the opioid epidemic. Here in Michigan, almost 2,000 people died last year from opioid overdoses – according to newly released data from the Department of Health and Human Services. Until I no longer read headline after headline about another tragic loss of a Michigander to addiction, this fight will not be over. But the STOP Act was a crucial, common-sense step for Congress to take. Once the STOP Act is implemented, international criminals will no longer be able to exploit the postal loophole to profit off American deaths. I’m proud this legislation today moved across the finish line, but it is just one step of many that I will continue to push for to keep Michigan families safe and turn the tide on this health crisis,” said Rep. Mike Bishop. “Sending this law to the President’s desk was a true bipartisan effort by every Member of our Committee. I especially want to thank Rep. Mike Bishop for his work to stop the flow of synthetic drugs into our country through the international mail system; Rep. Erik Paulsen for expanding resources for folks to understand the dangers of opioids before doctors prescribe them medication; and Health Subcommittee Chairman Peter Roskam for increasing program integrity efforts and resources for Medicare beneficiaries to help prevent seniors from becoming addicted to these drugs. This is not our last step in this fight, and we look forward to continuing to work together until our country defeats this crisis once and for all,” said Chairman Kevin Brady. Background: This bipartisan law combines over 70 bills from the House and Senate to combat the opioid crisis. Bishop Introduces Bill to Stop the Flow of Synthetic Opioids in the International Mail System – May 15, 2018 ### |
