Fentanyl Epidemic Wreaks Havoc

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because fentanyl is an epidemic in America. In counties and cities across America, families are being destroyed by fentanyl overdoses. Doctors and nurses in emergency departments throughout our country see it every day. Paramedics, emergency medical technicians, police officers, and deputy sheriffs see it on the front line.

China provides precursors to Mexico, who, in turn, produces this deadly drug. We have seen what happens next. Every day mules illegally cross the U.S. border by the thousands, bringing fentanyl to communities across our country. It is killing 300 people every day.

The Secretary of Homeland Security has testified before Members of this body that we have operational control of the southern border. Americans know the truth. At this rate, fentanyl is on track to steal an entire generation from our country.

As a first responder, licensed emergency medical technician for more than 34 years, I have seen it up close. I have personally had to shoot Narcan up the noses of children in an effort to save their lives. That is something that no child should have to experience and no parent should have to witness.

According to the CDC, fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. So far in fiscal year 2023, Customs and Border Patrol have seized over 17,000 pounds of fentanyl coming across the southern border. Again, in 2023, Customs and Border Patrol have seized 17,000 pounds of fentanyl coming across the southern border.

This year Madison County, Alabama, which I represent, is reporting 25 confirmed fentanyl overdoses through the coroner's office with 35 suspected overdose cases pending.

The devastation this drug is leaving as it infects the United States is something to be mourned. I can say this gruesome nature of fentanyl is destroying lives, families, and communities. It does not discriminate.

More and more often we see other dangerous drugs such as methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and even marijuana, being laced with fentanyl without the knowledge of the user.

In the wake of surge in illegal immigration and drug smuggling at the southern border, we are at risk to witness unprecedented spikes in fentanyl overdoses. Fentanyl is already running rampant in our country, and we must take action. My concerns reflect those of my own constituents and countless others around the United States, especially those who live and have been forever changed by fentanyl.

To solve problems, you must first admit you have one. We have gotten here because of this administration's reckless border policies. I am proud of the legislation that we have come together to advance in the House this Congress. We must continue to look for ways to equip law enforcement with essential tools to stop the spread of fentanyl and give us the support we need on more research of this vicious drug.

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Mr. STRONG.

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Mr. STRONG. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Congressman for his remarks.
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Mr. STRONG. Mr. Speaker, I thank those who have participated in this Special Order hour.

Mr. Speaker, as I said, I speak firsthand as an emergency medical technician for 34 years in town. We have seen so many things occur, so many families that have been affected.

I can tell you this, as a member of the House Armed Services Committee and also the committees that have gone to the border, you start looking at what we saw firsthand and just trying to protect our country.

We were there at the southern border for about 5 minutes at a point of entry. In less than 5 minutes, here comes a vehicle. What would you imagine? Seventy pounds of cocaine right in front of 12 United States Congressmen.

We went again to McAllen, Texas, and had a full committee hearing--or what was supposed to have been a full committee hearing. It was only Republicans who showed up.

Mr. Speaker, the only way that we can solve problems is to admit that we have a problem and then work together to solve it. It is obvious that we have a problem with thousands of pounds coming across the southern border, and we have to act on it.

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