Shaheen Presses Deputy AG Rosenstein on Cuts to Programs Critical to New Hampshire's Opioid Epidemic Response

Statement

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the lead Democrat on the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee, pressed Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein on the Trump administration's proposed cuts to critical programs to combat the opioid epidemic during today's subcommittee hearing to review the President's FY2018 budget request for the Department of Justice (DOJ). During her questioning, Shaheen addressed the Trump administration's proposed elimination of the COPS anti-heroin task force grant program and cuts to the drug court program, asking Rosenstein whether it's "really in the interest" of New Hampshire's efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. Shaheen reinforced that local law enforcement in New Hampshire and across the country needs resources to help stem the tide of this crisis.

Shaheen referenced the surge in usage of the Dark Web to sell synthetic drugs, including fentanyl, as recently reported by The New York Times, and asked Rosenstein how DOJ, including efforts by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration, is working to shut down these sites. She also pressed Rosenstein on his efforts with DOJ's counterparts in China and Mexico to stop the production and spread of fentanyl and carfentanil.

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