Calling it critical legislation, U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, has taken to the Senate floor to call for passage of the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act.

Ayotte, former attorney general, sponsored the CARA legislation to push for more federal support for prevention, treatment, interdiction, first responders and recovering individuals.  She focused on many families in her home state facing drug issues.

Ayotte pointed out that last month alone there were 14 opioid overdose deaths in Manchester.  And she said that the statistics are only part of the story.

She brought the issue down to personal stories, one of a Greenville mother who helps people cope with drug addiction. Ayotte has been battling for almost two years to bring the legislation to a vote, and has urged her Senate colleagues to swiftly pass the legislation.

Ayotte also renewed her support for an amendment introduced by U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, that would provide emergency funding to address the epidemic.