Statement on Senate Vote to Fund National Defense and Fight the Opioid Epidemic

Statement

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) issued the following statement after the Senate, by a vote of 93 to 7, adopted the conference report for the Defense and Labor-HHS appropriations bills:

"The bill the Senate overwhelmingly passed today fully funds our national defense and the rebuilding of our military. It provides for the biggest pay raise for our troops in nine years, an increase in total troop end strength, and the procurement of new ships, aircraft, helicopters, and tanks. Our military is now set to receive its full funding on time for the first time in 10 years, meaning much-needed certainty after years of cuts and readiness shortfalls.

"For our communities, this bill provides a historic level of funding to fight the opioid epidemic, which takes the lives of more than 100 people in the U.S. every day. These resources will go directly to help treat substance abuse and expand access to mental health services.

"These are top priorities for the country, and we are ready to get this bill into law soon."

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