Meehan Named to Key House-Senate Panel on Opioid Epidemic

Press Release

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) today named Congressman Patrick Meehan (R-PA) to a joint House-Senate conference committee to resolve differences in legislation passed by both chambers to address the opioid overdose epidemic.

Meehan authored the John Thomas Decker Act, legislation passed by the House that takes on the challenge of young athletes who become addicted to prescription painkillers following an on-field injury. Named for John Thomas Decker, a Philadelphia-area man who died of a heroin overdose earlier this year, the bill was one of a number of pieces of opioid abuse legislation approved by the House last week. These bills will now be considered by the conference committee for inclusion in a final bill.

"Pat Meehan has been a leader in the House of Representative's effort to address the opioid crisis," said Speaker Ryan. "His experience as a former prosecutor and his knowledge of this issue will be an important contribution to the conference committee's work."

"Every city and town in Pennsylvania has felt the consequences of the opioid overdose epidemic," said Congressman Meehan. "Lawmakers in both the House and the Senate have done important work to improve our ability to help those in need and prevent addiction from leading to death. The John Thomas Decker Act is a good example: it targets one aspect of this crisis and takes prudent steps to educate those at risk."

"Now it's time for the House and Senate to find areas of common ground and chart a path forward to combat this crisis. I'm grateful to Speaker Ryan for the opportunity to have a voice in this process," Meehan said.

When the committee's work is complete, its draft legislation will be voted on by both houses of Congress and submitted to the President for his signature.

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