Melania Trump makes first solo visit to Capitol Hill

First lady Melania Trump embarked on her first solo visit to Capitol Hill Wednesday to discuss the opioid crisis with a bipartisan group of lawmakers.

Trump led a roundtable with senators from across the country, including Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), according to CNN.  

Trump was also joined by other officials and aides, including White House counselor Kellyanne Conway. 

The event marked the one-year anniversary of the signing of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, which provides funding for training surrounding the opioid crisis, as well as for care. 

{mosads} In her brief remarks, Trump said the legislation pairs with her Be Best initiative, a campaign that focuses on well-being for children, their social media use and how they are impacted by the opioid crisis.

“Because of the SUPPORT Act, we are able to look at ways to reduce opioid use during pregnancy and recognize early childhood issues related to substance abuse,” Trump said, according to CNN.

She also lauded National Drug Take Back Days, a Drug Enforcement Administration program that provides a safe place for people to dispose of any unused opioid medicines in their homes. 

“I have traveled to some of the areas hardest hit by drug abuse and I have seen the devastating effects that this crisis has on families and children,” Trump reportedly said.

After the roundtable, Manchin told CNN that a bipartisan effort to end the opioid crisis in America is how Congress “is supposed to work.”

“It’s a shame that it took a crisis to bring us together,” the Democratic senator said.

“We’re better than this. People deserve better than what they’re getting from Washington right now,” he continued.

Trump did not answer questions from reporters about the impeachment inquiry launched by House Democrats against President Trump, CNN reported.