Washington, D.C. – Today, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) released the following statement after the Senate passed, by a vote of 99 – 1, H.R. 6, a package of bills aimed at tackling the opioid crisis. Included in H.R. 6 is the Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act, legislation to help prevent the shipment of synthetic opioids into the United States through the international mail system:

“I want to applaud the Senate for taking this next step as Congress works to fight the opioid crisis. I’m glad that this bipartisan package includes the STOP Act, our bill that takes important steps to keep fentanyl off our streets. More than 72,000 people died of a drug overdose in the United States last year, a number that is dramatically increasing because of illegal smuggling of fentanyl. By securing the international mail system and strengthening our international postal agreements, the STOP Act will help save lives and make our communities safer.

“While the Senate also included many meaningful policies aimed at addressing the opioid crisis within the Medicare program, several of which were similar to those included in the Committee– and House-passed opioids package, we will continue our work with the Senate to ensure we strengthen the integrity of Medicare so beneficiaries don’t fall victim to this crisis.

“I want to applaud Rep. Mike Bishop for his steadfast leadership on the STOP Act, as well as Trade Subcommittee Chairman Dave Reichert, Rep. John Faso, and Senator Rob Portman. I look forward to continuing our work to help our country overcome the opioid crisis.”