Joint Task Force to Combat Opioid Trafficking Act of 2019
Floor Speech
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Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3722) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize a Joint Task Force to enhance integration of the Department of Homeland Security's border security operations to detect, interdict, disrupt, and prevent narcotics, such as fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, from entering the United States, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3722
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Joint Task Force to Combat Opioid Trafficking Act of 2019''. SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF JOINT TASK FORCE TO COUNTER OPIOIDS.
Subsection (b) of section 708 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 348) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)(A), by adding at the end the following new clause:
``(iv) Enhancing the integration of the Department's border security operations to detect, interdict, disrupt, and prevent narcotics, such as fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, from entering the United States.'';
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (9) through (13) as paragraphs (11) through (15), respectively; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following new paragraphs:
``(9) Engagement with the private sector.--
``(A) In general.--The Director of a Joint Task Force may engage with representatives from a private sector organization for the purpose of carrying out the mission of such Joint Task Force, and any such engagement shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
``(B) Assistance from private sector.--
``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding subsection (b)(1), the Secretary, with the agreement of a private sector organization, may arrange for the temporary assignment of an employee of such organization to a Joint Task Force in accordance with this paragraph.
``(ii) Agreement.--The Secretary shall provide for a written agreement between the Department, the private sector organization concerned, and the employee concerned regarding the terms and conditions of the assignment of such employee under this paragraph.
``(C) No financial liability.--Any agreement under this paragraph shall require the private sector organization concerned to be responsible for all costs associated with the assignment of an employee under this paragraph.
``(D) Duration.--An assignment under this paragraph may, at any time and for any reason, be terminated by the Secretary or the private sector organization concerned and shall be for a total period of not more than two years.
``(10) Collaboration with task forces outside dhs.--The Secretary may enter into a memorandum of understanding by which a Joint Task Force established under this section to carry out any purpose specified in paragraph (2)(A) and any other Federal, State, local, Tribal, territorial, or international entity or task force established for a similar purpose may collaborate for the purpose of carrying out the mission of such Joint Task Force.''. SEC. 3. NOTIFICATION; REPORTING.
(a) Notification.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall--
(1) make a determination regarding whether to establish a Joint Task Force under section 708 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to carry out the purpose specified in clause (iv) of subsection (b)(2)(A) of such section, as added by section 2 of this Act; and
(2) submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate written notification of such determination, including, if such determination is in the negative, information on the basis for such negative determination.
(b) Reporting.--If the Secretary of Homeland Security establishes a Joint Task Force under section 708 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to carry out the purpose specified in clause (iv) of subsection (b)(2)(A) of such section, as added by section 2 of this Act, the Secretary shall--
(1) beginning with the first report required under subsection (b)(6)(F) of such section 708, include with respect to such a Joint Task Force--
(A) a gap analysis of funding, personnel, technology, or other resources needed in order to detect, interdict, disrupt, and prevent narcotics, such as fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, from entering the United States; and
(B) a description of collaboration pursuant to subsection (b)(10) of such section (as added by section 2 of this Act) between such a Joint Task Force and any other Federal, State, local, Tribal, territorial, or international task force, including the United States Postal Service and the United States Postal Inspection Service; and
(2) in each review required under subsection (b)(11)(C) of section 708 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as redesignated by section 2 of this Act, an assessment of the activities of such a Joint Task Force, including an evaluation of whether such Joint Task Force has enhanced integration of the Department's efforts, created any unique capabilities, or otherwise enhanced operational effectiveness, coordination, or information sharing to detect, interdict, disrupt, and prevent narcotics, such as fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, from entering the United States.
Mr. Speaker, every day, in communities across this country, synthetic opioids kill Americans in shocking numbers. H.R. 3722 will take a step forward by addressing this epidemic, which is one of the most severe ever facing our country.
The opioid crisis, having already claimed hundreds of thousands of American lives over the past two decades, has evolved into a new and even more dangerous phase.
The first periods of the crisis were characterized by the overuse of prescription opioids and heroin. Devastating as these stages were, the current phase is even more deadly still.
Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are coming into our country from laboratories in China and Mexico and are wreaking havoc on communities across the entire country. These extremely potent chemicals frequently cross our borders through legal channels such as international mail facilities, sometimes in small packages, and are difficult to detect or interdict. The bill now before us aims to address part of this challenge.
The Joint Task Force to Combat Opioid Trafficking Act, sponsored by Representative Jim Langevin, passed through the House on a voice vote during the 115th Congress before stalling in the Senate. This Congress, the bill, once again, passed out of the Committee on Homeland Security with unanimous consent.
The core of this bill will require the Department of Homeland Security to stand up a joint task force dedicated to preventing synthetic opioids from reaching our borders. The joint task force model allows DHS to ensure that the strengths and capabilities of its various components are all leveraged to maximum effect.
Steps such as improved screening procedures, greater targeting of suspicious senders, and better information-sharing processes can all aid our law enforcement agencies in halting the ongoing flow of synthetic opioids across our borders.
Unlike the existing authority governing DHS joint task forces, this bill will allow DHS and the private sector the opportunity to collaborate on this challenge. Private-sector partners also have strengths and capabilities that can greatly enhance joint efforts to prevent legitimate commercial activities from being exploited by bad actors.
The crisis at hand requires innovative solutions. A greater focus on increased collaboration between DHS, its components, and private-sector partners all could go a long way in addressing a major driver of this crisis.
Mr. Speaker, our country faces a severe and ongoing crisis, with newly developed synthetic opioids causing tremendous suffering to our families, individuals, and entire communities throughout the country. The collaboration between private companies and the government that will be possible through this legislation will prove to be a crucial component in the task of stopping the flow of fentanyl across our borders.
H.R. 3722 is a bipartisan and targeted solution to address this most urgent need. I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
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