A co-sponsor of a major opioid and heroin abuse bill will break with members of his party and won’t block the bill over a growing fight over more funding.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., said he supports an amendment to the bill that would add $600 million in new funding for addiction treatment. But he still would support the bill he co-sponsored with Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, that aims to address the opioid crisis called the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act.
“I do not intend, nor do I know anyone who intends, to block the passage of CARA or to interfere it going into law over the question of funding,” Whitehouse said on the Senate floor Tuesday.
Portman said he supports the idea of additional resources, but that it is important to “get CARA done. We have to pass the underlying bill.”
The Senate voted unanimously to advance the bill Monday. Debate on the bill is expected to resume on Wednesday, and the amendment will be among three considered by senators, according to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office. No vote has been scheduled.
