Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Mr. Chair, the HALT Fentanyl Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation this body could possibly address.

We all understand something must be done to stop this deadly drug from killing more of our loved ones. I do not believe our communities that are being ravaged by fentanyl can wait long while this important legislation is implemented.

That is why I am offering this simple amendment to speed up the process of rulemaking by the Attorney General.

My amendment will cut the timeline for interim final rulemaking by the Attorney General in half. I repeat, in half.

Law enforcement needs these tools to keep our community safe, and my amendment seeks to save lives across our country by requiring the Attorney General to expedite the rulemaking process while allowing enough time for sound policymaking.

Fentanyl is killing far too many people year after year in Ohio. In March alone, 130 people died from fentanyl overdoses just in Cuyahoga County.

We must come together here in Congress to address this with the urgency that it needs. Focusing on substance use disorder treatments and harm reduction techniques alone will not address the unique threat posed by fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances that can kill a person instantly when laced with other substances or pills. We must keep Americans safe.

I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support my amendment.

Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Bucshon).

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Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman from Indiana for his support.

Last month, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, law enforcement confiscated rainbow fentanyl, which is designed to resemble candy and this deadly drug is marketed to children. Simply put, this is death disguised as candy.

Just last month, local law enforcement, the DEA, and the United States District Attorney's Office busted an organized drug trafficking ring involving 18 individuals who were involved in the distribution of fentanyl across the communities I represent in Ohio's Seventh Congressional District.

Mr. Chair, once again, I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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