We’ve all heard the phrase, “Bad news travels fast.” That seems like the case these days. In fact, a reporter once told me the news doesn’t report on planes landing. I guess no one would read a story with the headline “Plane successfully lands at Charlotte Douglas.” That’s why I’m very happy to see folks here in North Carolina report on good news that really matters. 

A little over a week ago, WSOC-TV Channel 9’s headline read, “Senate sends President Trump bipartisan opioids bill.” This comprehensive, bipartisan package will help get to the root of the opioids epidemic that’s ravaging communities across the country, including many right here in North Carolina. The package includes three of my bipartisan bills to help get unused opioids out of medicine cabinets and off the streets. 

While this might seem minor at first glance, it’s a huge issue – over 70 percent of heroin addictions begin in the medicine cabinet. As many as 92 percent of patients don’t use their full opioid prescription. Making sure we safely dispose of opioids before they fall into the wrong hands is a critical step in solving this national problem. 

  As your voice in Congress, I’ve worked to combat the opioid crisis for years, and I’m proud to be a leader on this front. 

  This isn’t a partisan issue – it’s an American one, and I’ll continue to work with my colleagues, President Trump and local leaders to stop the deadly cycle of opioid addiction. 

  In The Fayetteville Observer, another recent headline read, “Trump signs spending plan, avoiding government shutdown.” Representing Fort Bragg, the epicenter of the universe, I was proud to not only support this critical funding bill, but also to have my amendment included to provide more training for our Special Forces. Overall, this bill provides $17 billion to our military to increase training for our troops and improve warfighter preparedness. And it gives out troops a well-deserved 2.6 percent pay raise. This is in addition to another pay raise last year. 

  The Charlotte Business Journal also reported, “Ivanka Trump talks higher education, workforce pipeline during Mooresville visit.” As Senior White House Advisor, Ivanka joined Congressman Ted Budd and me at the NASCAR Technical Institute to discuss job training. As a former trustee of Rowan- Cabarrus Community College, I know these programs are some of the best avenues we have to train workers for jobs in high-demand fields that would otherwise go unfilled. That’s exactly why I’ve made this a top priority and worked with the Trump administration to transform our career and technical education system. 

  We’ve made incredible progress – especially with the recent signing of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 2353). I will continue to work to close the skills gap and help equip workers with the tools they need to get good jobs. 

  Last, but not least, The News & Observer reported, “Washington sends $1.7 billion to the Carolinas in Hurricane Florence aid.” Getting responsible disaster relief funding was truly a bipartisan effort. This is just the first installment to help families in North Carolina rebuild, and I’m glad to see this bill head to Trump’s desk to be signed into law. 

  You see, if you look closely, there is some good news out there. We’ve taken major bipartisan steps on issues that impact our daily lives, and we’ll continue to do so through the end of this year and beyond.