Providing for Consideration of H.R. Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act; Providing for Consideration of S.J. Res. Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the Rule Submitted By the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to ``Control of Air Pollution From New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards''; and Providing for Consideration of H.J. Res. Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the Rule Submitted By the Department of Education Relating to ``Waivers and Modifications of Federal Student Loans''

Floor Speech

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Mr. LANGWORTHY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas that I am proud to serve with on the House Committee on Rules for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule which provides for consideration of the HALT Fentanyl Act, an important first step in fighting back against a drug that is killing thousands of Americans.

The HALT Fentanyl Act is an extension of the work that this majority is doing to support our law enforcement officers and first responders. These men and women in blue, who are maligned, villainized, and defunded in cities and States across the country, need our support today to continue to fight back against the trafficking of these lethal drugs.

Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers all agree that without this important scheduling in place, the surge of fentanyl into this country will break new records and more lives and communities will be ruined in the wake.

In just a 10-day span earlier this year, State troopers in my district reported over 20 deaths from fentanyl overdoses. In just a 10- day span, 20 victims of the flood of this deadly substance into our country were killed, their families and their communities torn apart in the process.

In recent years, the drug-related death rate in Erie County in western New York has risen by 256 percent. As is the case in so many communities, fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances are responsible for more and more of these deaths.

It is hard to believe it can get any worse, but sadly, it could. If we allow the scheduling of fentanyl-related substances to expire, we will strip law enforcement of the authority they need to seize these extremely lethal drugs.

They are the ones who are pursuing the traffickers and getting them off the streets. They are also the ones who, too often, arrive on the scene to try to save the life of someone who has tragically succumbed to an overdose.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to support this legislation that will help ensure law enforcement has the tools they need to protect our communities and save lives.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I agree that we need to address the fentanyl crisis, but what we are saying is we need to do more. The bill we are looking at today does not increase any funding for law enforcement. It does not address the need that we have to increase our funding to assist law enforcement in interdicting this horrible drug.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

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