Congress Expected to Vote on Opioid Legislation -

This week, Congress will consider the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). CARA would be the first step the Senate has taken in 2016 to address the opioid drug crisis, although it faces uncertain terrain in the face of $600 million floor amendment likely to be brought up by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), which some Republican members are balking at absent an offset. The omnibus funding bill passed late last year included $78 million in grants to address the opioid and heroin crises, which some Republican members maintain is enough. Still, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) filed a cloture on a motion to proceed to the legislation, setting up a procedural vote for this afternoon – and the Senate is expected to consider CARA for the balance of this week.