Fueling the heroin epidemic

This week, I continued my longstanding effort to stem the tide of heroin and opioid addiction that is raging across Pennsylvania and the country.

I went to the Senate floor on Wednesday to deliver a speech on a very concerning provision of Obamacare that is exacerbating the crisis we are facing. Obamacare requires a series of questions about pain management on a hospital satisfaction survey - and those survey results are linked to nearly $500 million in Medicare reimbursement. I have spoken with medical professionals across our Commonwealth, and they have warned that these questions incentivize doctors to overprescribe powerful, addictive narcotics. TIME Magazine highlighted this problem in an article titled "How Obamacare Is Fueling America's Opioid Epidemic."

We are in the midst of a deadly crisis that is killing people every day. I can only imagine the grief of losing a child or a loved one to addiction. I've known people who have been through the grief. That's why I'm working so hard to combat this epidemic and focusing my time on addressing it. I urged my colleagues to work across the aisle to stop Obamacare's financial incentive that is contributing to the epidemic.

You can watch my floor speech here.

On Monday afternoon, I visited the Pennsylvania SPCA to learn more about the excellent work they do caring and advocating for animals. There is no place for animal abuse in our society, and I am glad to see these dedicated individuals doing all they can to protect animals.

During my time in the Senate, I also have worked to protect animals from heinous forms of abuse. Last week, I was awarded the 2016 Legislative Leader Award for my work.

My bipartisan bill, the Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, would outlaw a heinous form of animal abuse known as "crushing" - where deranged individuals maim and torture animals. This legislation would be the first-ever federal law to grant all animals federal protections against cruelty and abuse.

I am also working with my colleagues to pass two other bipartisan bills to protect animals. First, the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act would crack down on a practice where horses are maimed in order to make them walk with high-stepping gaits that are rewarded in show rings. Soring is inhumane, unnecessary, and cruel. We need to toughen federal laws and end this abusive training tactic which exists only for entertainment and shows.

Next, the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act would encourage domestic violence shelters to accommodate service animals and victims' pets. When fleeing from dangerous situations, victims should not have to worry about the safety of their pets, which are also often abused. This legislation is a step in the right direction toward easing the burden on those escaping domestic violence and their loved ones.

I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that these bipartisan bills become law.

I have some great news to share with you!

On Tuesday afternoon, the Senate passed a bipartisan bill that will advance American aviation, protect passengers, and help improve our nation's airports and aviation infrastructure.

Included in this bill is a bipartisan amendment that is critically important to making our skies safer. Senator Bob Casey and I have worked together with Ellen Saracini (pictured above) to require new commercial aircraft to have a secondary barrier to prevent access to the flight deck.

Our amendment honors Ellen's husband, Victor Saracini, who was a Bucks County, Pa. native and a former Navy pilot. On September 11, 2001, while captain of United Airlines Flight 175, he was murdered by terrorists as they took control of the plane and flew it into the World Trade Center. He left behind his wife and two daughters, Kirsten and Brielle.

These barriers are an inexpensive, reasonable way to make our commercial airplanes safer. I also want to commend Ellen Saracini for her passionate advocacy for secondary barriers. Without her efforts, this bipartisan proposal would not have passed. We are now one step closer to getting this commonsense safety measure signed into law, and I will continue to fight for its enactment.

You can learn more about my effort to make our skies safer by watching a short video here, and reading about it here.

Earlier this week, I visited the Philadelphia Children's Alliance to meet with Pennsylvanians who are dedicated to advocating on behalf of victims of domestic violence and other forms of abuse. The work they do is so critically important, and I was honored to be awarded the Legislator Award by the Philadelphia Coalition for Victim Advocacy.

You can learn about my efforts on behalf of victims of crime and abuse here.

Are you, or someone you know, interested in attending one of the United States Service Academies? One of the best parts about my job is the opportunity to nominate outstanding young men and women to one of the Service Academies. Each year, I invite all Pennsylvanians who have been accepted to the Service Academies to Washington, D.C. As you can see in the photo above, it is a great time to get to know the future leaders of our military and for the students to ask me questions on a range of different issues.

Below you will find the details of two upcoming U.S. Service Academy Information Days - events hosted by my staff, staff of Congressman Lou Barletta, and representatives from the Air Force, Naval, Merchant Marine and Coast Guard Academies, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the R.O.T.C. to provide students with a better understanding of the nomination and admission process.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Bishop McDevitt High School

1 Crusader Way

Harrisburg, Pa.

5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Dallas Senior High School

2000 Connyngham Avenue

Dallas, Pa.

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM