Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry (NC-10) released the following statement after President Trump's declaration of the opioid epidemic as a Nationwide Public Health Emergency: 

"The opioid epidemic has devastated communities throughout the United States, including here in western North Carolina. Congress has already taken important steps to address this crisis but more must be done. This afternoon, President Trump took another important step by declaring the opioid epidemic a Nationwide Public Health Emergency. I applaud the President for his leadership in combatting this epidemic. In the months ahead, I look forward to working with President Trump to curb the spread and use of these dangerous drugs."