On Senate Floor, Ayotte Urges Final Passage of CARA

Press Release

Ahead of the Senate's vote on the final passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte spoke on the Senate floor to urge her colleagues to pass this legislation.

"I rise in support [of] a critical piece of legislation called the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, otherwise known as CARA. I've been working on this piece of legislation [with] Senators Portman, Whitehouse and Klobuchar for about two years, and I want to thank them for their leadership on this legislation, [their] partnership and the work that we have done, along with hundreds of coalition groups, that have helped us put this legislation together. CARA passed this body in March by a vote of 94-1. Mr. President, not much passes the U.S. Senate with a vote of 94-1. With numbers like that, it speaks volumes to the fact that every community is facing a heroin and opioid epidemic right now, and we need to take national action," said Senator Ayotte.

"[It's] time for to us rise above the politics and pass this important legislation...There's an urgent and pressing need for this legislation, and I call on my colleagues at this point," she continued.

During the speech, she also shared the stories of numerous New Hampshire families who have lost loved ones due to an overdose.

Last week, the House of Representatives passed CARA by a vote of 407-5. The Senate is expected to vote on CARA this week.

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