• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy ‘Permission slip to cartels’: Fentanyl overdoses are surging, so what is Congress doing to help?
Economy

‘Permission slip to cartels’: Fentanyl overdoses are surging, so what is Congress doing to help?

by May 25, 2023
by May 25, 2023 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

As the House prepares to vote on a bill intended to curb fentanyl overdose deaths, lawmakers weighed in on what’s driving the influx of the synthetic opioid and what’s needed to combat it.

‘We have a circumstance right now where the open southern border is a permission slip to cartels driving fentanyl into our communities,’ Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican, told Fox News. ‘The consequences are a direct result of intentional action to keep that border open.’

Rep. Dan Crenshaw said drug overdoses are why he’s ‘been so outspoken about going after cartels, the source of the fentanyl issue.’

WHAT IS CONGRESS DOING TO CURB FENTANYL OVERDOSE DEATHS? WATCH:

Over 200,000 Americans have overdosed and died from synthetic opioids like fentanyl since 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

‘It’s gotten so much worse over the last couple years, so now it’s on everyone’s radar,’ Crenshaw, a Texas Republican, said. ‘Everybody now has multiple people in their district, I think, who are overdosing from fentanyl.’

The House on Wednesday afternoon was expected to vote on the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act, which would create harsher penalties for possessing and distributing the fentanyl mixtures.

‘Hopefully we’re gonna get that passed so we can say ‘enough is enough,’’ Rep. Nathaniel Moran, a Republican, told Fox News.

But Rep. Jim McGovern was skeptical.

‘I don’t think that the bill the Republicans are bringing before us is gonna solve it,’ the Massachusetts Democrat said. ‘That’s more of a soundbite than a solution.’

Several lawmakers had introduced their own bills. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s, for example would increase outreach, put Narcan in schools and enhance penalties for illegal online sales.

‘We’ve got to be sensible,’ the Texas Democrat told Fox News. ‘We’ve got to punish those who do wrong.’

‘We’ve gotta make sure that we embrace our children and youth and educate them extensively to know what will kill them,’ she continued. ‘We’ve got to stop the traffickers in their tracks.’

Moran’s legislation would economically sanction any individuals or entities involved in the fentanyl trade.

Feeling it in the pocketbook is ‘what’s gonna drive some change,’ Moran, of Texas, said.

Rep. Mike Gallagher, who chairs the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, also said more sanctions were needed, but also pointed a finger at entities in China.

‘We need to get aggressive in what is effectively a reverse opium war being waged against the United States,’ the Wisconsin Republican told Fox News. He said his committee aims ‘to expose that the precursor chemicals are coming from China.’

‘You have this unholy alliance between Chinese entities and the drug trafficking organizations that’s resulting in the death of 80,000 Americans annually,’ Gallagher said. ‘It’s absolutely horrific.’

Rep. Jimmy Gomez, a California Democrat who serves on the House Intelligence Committee, said increasing border security would help slow the influx of the synthetic opioid.

‘We’ve gotta break up those entities that are making the fentanyl and then getting it through the border,’ Gomez said. ‘We need to make sure we have more resources at the port of entry where 90% of the fentanyl comes in.’

McGovern, meanwhile, wants to target the problem at home.

‘We need more interventions. We need more mental health counselors,’ he told Fox News. ‘It’s not just about interdiction, but certainly we need to increase funds for that.’

‘This is a problem that is solvable,’ McGovern said.

To hear more from members of Congress, click here.

Ethan Barton is a producer/reporter for Digital Originals. You can reach him at ethan.barton@fox.com and follow him on Twitter at @ethanrbarton.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Ohio legislators introduce bill abolishing death penalty
  • A Swiss Oasis of Liberal Sanity in a Totalitarian Europe
  • House Oversight Committee asks Secret Service chief to testify on Trump assassination attempt
  • Trump mocks RFK Jr for not making debate stage: ‘Maybe someday’
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Dem senator purchased luxury condo from green energy exec pushing wind farm in home state
next post
Sen. Josh Hawley reveals the real reason he believes Joe Biden ‘is not fit to be president’

You may also like

Newsom shirks blame for closing churches, keeping Hollywood open during...

September 11, 2023

International Church of Cannabis spars with liberal city — but...

March 13, 2023

White House insists Biden takes classified documents ‘seriously’ after he...

January 20, 2023

Dozens of North Korean soldiers repeatedly breach forbidden zone with...

June 18, 2024

Congress barrels toward government shutdown deadlines with little progress so...

February 11, 2024

Country music star releases song endorsing ‘America’s Governor’ DeSantis: ‘Never...

January 11, 2024

Kansas plan may allow paying disabled workers below minimum wage

March 7, 2023

Obama says any Israeli military strategy that ignores human costs...

October 24, 2023

Americans told to ‘avoid’ gatherings in Moscow, Russia amid reports...

March 8, 2024

Congress should use ‘power of the purse’ to force changes...

August 7, 2023

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Week Ahead: NIFTY Stays In A Defined Range; Moving Past This Level Crucial For Resumption Of Upmove

      May 31, 2025
    • Breakouts, Momentum & Moving Averages: 10 Must-See Stock Charts Right Now

      May 31, 2025
    • Leadership Rotation Could Confirm Corrective Phase

      May 30, 2025
    • Run Your Stock Portfolio Like a Pro Sports Team

      May 30, 2025
    • U.S. foreign tax bill sends jitters across Wall Street

      May 30, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,765 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,472 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,451 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,432 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,308 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,106)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,582)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Week Ahead: NIFTY Stays In A Defined Range; Moving Past...

      May 31, 2025
    • Breakouts, Momentum & Moving Averages: 10 Must-See Stock Charts Right...

      May 31, 2025
    • Leadership Rotation Could Confirm Corrective Phase

      May 30, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,106)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,582)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Kansas appeals court reinstates suit over...

    March 18, 2023

    Dems blast Biden admin for efforts...

    September 14, 2023

    Republicans warn of mass exodus from...

    October 6, 2023
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here