Blue Dog Coalition Co-Chair U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, led a majority of the coalition in a letter to Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, calling on him to bring the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act to the House floor for a vote, the coalition stated in a news release.
“The fentanyl crisis is one of the most pressing issues facing communities across the country. According to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, 7,793 pounds of fentanyl have been seized within the United States since just September 2024,” the Blue Dogs wrote. “In the face of this challenge, it is crucial we provide law enforcement with the proper tools to combat the flow of fentanyl, which has been driving our nation’s addiction crisis.”
According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, fentanyl-related overdose is the leading cause of death for Americans 18 to 45 years old. Furthermore, the same substances accounted for nearly seven out of 10 of all overdose deaths in 2022.
“This is an issue that hits close to home. It is critical we put an end to the fear and heartbreak that the deadly flow of fentanyl causes in hollowing out our communities,” the Blue Dogs continued. “As members of the Blue Dog Coalition, we have long advocated for commonsense policies that bolster American national security. The fentanyl crisis needs an all-of-the-above government response, and we stand ready to do our part.”
The full text of the letter is available at https://shorturl.at/C722g.
