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Source: Congress.gov
Summary
The House Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions convened a hearing to address the escalating illicit opioid crisis, particularly the threat posed by synthetic opioids like fentanyl and its analogs. Witnesses from across the country, including law enforcement leaders, medical professionals, and parents of overdose victims, testified about the scale of the crisis, with fentanyl linked to over 100,000 overdose deaths in 2023. The hearing focused on the need for legislative action, including the Halt All Legal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act, to permanently schedule fentanyl-related substances under the Controlled Substances Act. Key discussion points included the dangers of new synthetic drugs like xylazine, the vital role of naloxone in overdose reversal, and the importance of expanding access to treatment and prevention programs. Testimony highlighted the urgent need for coordinated efforts across law enforcement, public health, and research to combat both the supply and demand of illicit drugs, with many witnesses emphasizing the human toll and calling for robust, bipartisan action to save lives.
Participants
Transcript
driven by an increased supply of synthetic opioids such as illicit fentanyl and its analogs. Last fiscal year Customs and Border Protection confiscated over 21,000 pounds of fentanyl at our borders. That's enough fentanyl to kill every American several times over and that's just the drugs we know about. Under the Biden-Harris administration, we saw rates of overdose and poisoning deaths skyrocket, peaking at nearly 108,000 in 2023, driven by the surge of fentanyl coming across our borders. Illicit fentanyl overdoses are now the number one cause of death among adults 18 to 45. Each year, more Americans are dying from illicit fentanyl than the number of Americans' lives lost during the Vietnam War. However, I believe we have a great opportunity to make significant and sustainable progress in combating this crisis. To do so, we must continue to expand the availability of overdose reversal treatments like naloxone, removing the stigma associated with carrying it and making it as common as a fire extinguisher. Every school in America should have access to naloxone. We must secure our borders to stop the scourge of illegal drugs, especially poisons like illicit fentanyl. President Trump has already made progress to address the fentanyl crisis by forcing Mexico and Canada to come to the negotiating table. With President Trump's leadership, we must continue to crack down on China, Mexico, and anyone who smuggles fentanyl and other synthetic drugs across our borders with the sole intention of prying on Americans. Additionally, this committee is already taking action to help keep illicit fentanyl out of our communities and save lives. Later today, the House will vote on a bill developed by this committee, the Halt All Legal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act, which will take the critical step of permanently scheduling all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Services Act.
These tools and solutions address today's problem. But like the evolution of the opioid crisis from the overprescribing of Oxycontin to today's scourge of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, we must prepare for what's next. In this hearing, we'll hear from our witnesses, not just on the illicit drugs threatening our communities today, but potential new threats that if left unaddressed will be driving this crisis tomorrow. I look forward to that testimony and working alongside my colleagues on addressing these issues. At this time, I'd like to yield one minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Dr. Joyce, for a statement.
Thank you, Chairman Carter, and thank you for holding this important meeting. I want to take this opportunity to introduce Mr. Ray Cullen, who is here with his wife, Deb. They come from Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, and they tragically lost their son to fentanyl poisoning. Zach was out with friends, and they were sold drugs laced with fentanyl. And on that tragic night, Zach stopped breathing. The compelling story that they brought to me and have continued to advocate specifically for this halt fentanyl piece of legislation is not only important to them individually, them as a family, but is important to all of America. And I am proud that both Ray and Deb Collin have brought this story to the halls of Congress to be able to share it with us today. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back.
Thank you, Dr. Joyce. I'd now like to yield one minute to the gentleman from Michigan, Representative James, for his statement. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today, I have the distinct honor and privilege of introducing a friend, outstanding servant to Southeast Michigan, law enforcement hero, Pam's husband and brother Rice, class of 1999 commencement speaker, Sheriff Mike Bouchard. I'm so proud that he's from my district. And as our nation has faced an all out assault from cartels and adversaries like CCP, the illicit drug epidemic is devastating our families and communities. And Sheriff Mike Bouchard and his team are on the front lines. He knows firsthand what's going on in our communities. and he has been successful leading Southeast Michigan. In May 2024, 500 grams of cocaine, 50 grams of fentanyl and Oxycontin were seized. April 2024, $20,000 in cocaine, fentanyl, and other drugs confiscated. March 2023, 41.5 kilos of fentanyl, enough to kill all 10.3 million Michiganders, were confiscated because of the leadership of Sheriff Mike Bouchard and his phenomenal team. I'm grateful to him for his leadership, I'm grateful for his friendship, and I'm excited to hear about his leadership and lessons learned today. Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield. Thank you, Representative James. The chair will now recognize the General Lady from Colorado, Representative DeGette, for five minutes for an opening statement. Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman.
I'm very happy to be the ranking member on this committee, and I'm looking forward to working with you and all of our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance strong bipartisan solutions to the issues we face. I, of course, join you in saying we need to be safe from dangerous drugs like fentanyl. I do regrettably have to correct the record already, even though it's just my first opening statement. Under the Biden administration, the Biden administration was also working hard to curb fentanyl, and that's why last year,
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