Extending Temporary Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2630, to extend the temporary emergency scheduling of fentanyl analogues.

In the rural Pennsylvania communities that I represent, the fentanyl crisis is anything but temporary. Every day, we experience the ramifications of the opioid epidemic, which has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the Franklin County coroner, Jeff Connor, told me just this week, ``Fentanyl is easy to get and fast to kill.''

This is true across our entire Commonwealth. In my home of Blair County, we suffered an 80 percent increase in overdose deaths in 2020. As I have heard directly from our county coroner, Patty Ross, there is no question that the widespread availability of illicit fentanyl is a substantial factor in our region's drug epidemic.

Fentanyl already poses a deadly threat to our communities. If we don't act to extend the fentanyl import ban before it expires next month, we will invite massive vulnerabilities in our shared fight against the opioid crisis. In Pennsylvania and around the country, we need more accountability for those who bring illicit fentanyl into our communities.

H.R. 2630 is lifesaving legislation that will give law enforcement and the justice system the tools that they need to keep this dangerous illicit drug off of our streets. This temporary fix needs to be the bridge to a permanent solution to protect the American people. We do not have time to waste. By passing this bipartisan legislation, we can protect families, equip those on the front line, and prevent tragedy.

For the health and safety of our communities, I urge a ``yes'' vote.

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