U.S. SENATE – U.S.Senator Steve Daines, a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, today announced that his “FEND Off Fentanyl Act” was officially included in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Senate began voting on the NDAA this week.
“Enough is enough. The fentanyl that is spilling through Joe Biden’s open border and into the Treasure State is destroying our local communities,” Daines said. “I am proud that my ‘FEND Off Fentanyl Act’ was officially included in this year’s NDAA, and included my specific concerns to add transparency to President Biden’s sanctions exemptions. I am working to ensure this legislation passes the Senate and is sent to the President’s desk.”
The United States is facing the worst drug crisis in history. In 2021, nearly 107,000 Americans died from an overdose, and 65% of overdose deaths were caused by fentanyl. Last year, the Drug Enforcement Administration seized over 379 million deadly doses of fentanyl – enough to supply a lethal dose to every American. Given the sharp increase in fentanyl-caused deaths, it is clear that a staggering amount of fentanyl is making its way into our country from the chemical suppliers in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and drug cartels in Mexico.
The “FEND Off Fentanyl Act” is a sanctions and anti-money laundering bill to help combat the country’s fentanyl crisis by targeting opioid traffickers devastating America’s communities. The bill will enhance current law so U.S. government agencies can more effectively disrupt illicit opioid supply chains and penalize those facilitating the trafficking of fentanyl. The bill also ensures that sanctions are imposed not only on the illicit drug trade, but also on the money laundering that makes it profitable.
Multiple national organizations have expressed support for the bill, including Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse (MAPDA), the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Sheriffs’ Association, and FDD Action.
Read more about what Senator Daines is doing to combat the fentanyl crisis HERE.
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