Controlled Substance Onboard Vessels

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2351, a bill requiring the Coast Guard to have a substantive policy on treating drug overdoses onboard vessels and also ensuring that the Coast Guard has the legal authority to prosecute certain drug smuggling cases.

I would also like to express my thanks for the bipartisan leadership of Chair Sam Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, and Subcommittee Chair Ezell.

This bill will strengthen the Coast Guard's ability to meet a core mission, saving lives. As we all know, the Coast Guard is involved in high-risk drug interdiction missions, as well as recreational boating oversight where drugs may also be present.

This bill requires the Coast Guard to update its policy on carrying and utilizing medications to treat drug overdoses such as naloxone.

Further, the bill ensures access to these medications at every installation and operational unit. As we all understand, handling drugs like cocaine and fentanyl is an exceptionally risky endeavor, and ensuring the Coast Guard has the necessary medication to prevent someone from losing a life is critical.

In addition, this bill also provides the Coast Guard with the ability to prosecute drug smuggling cases when the vessel operator is not physically onboard.

As technology continues to evolve and transnational criminal organizations get savvier and more sophisticated with their operations, this levels the playing field and helps the United States hold these unmanned vessel operators accountable.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support my colleagues who have worked on this important bipartisan legislation, and I look forward to seeing it passed into law.

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Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 2351, I encourage my colleagues to do the same, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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