Hearings to examine interdicting illicit drug trafficking, focusing on a view from the front lines.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

2025-02-26

Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The meeting of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation convened to discuss strategies for stopping deadly drugs, particularly fentanyl, from entering the United States and devastating communities nationwide[ 00:29:34 ] . The session included poignant testimony from a mother who lost her son to fentanyl poisoning. Additionally, insights were provided by law enforcement and federal agency representatives on interdiction efforts and required resources[ 01:37:09-01:38:22 ]

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. The discussion highlighted the urgency and complexity of the fentanyl crisis and the need for comprehensive solutions across various domains.

The Devastating Impact of the Fentanyl Crisis

The fentanyl crisis is a national emergency, identified as the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45. Testimonies underscored the personal tragedies, such as the loss of Jake Ellinger to fentanyl poisoning after he unknowingly took a counterfeit Xanax. Law enforcement in areas like Spokane, Washington, reports significant increases in opioid overdoses, with fentanyl involved in over 75% of related deaths. This epidemic impacts all demographics and demands immediate, forceful action.

Border Security and Maritime Interdiction Efforts

Efforts to stop illicit drugs at the borders are critical, with the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) playing key roles[ 01:50:46-01:50:50 ]

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. The Coast Guard has interdicted historic amounts of illegal drugs, including 37,000 pounds of seized cocaine worth $279 million in a single week[ 00:30:43 ]

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. CBP's Air and Marine Operations (AMO) focuses on interdicting drugs in U.S. territorial waters and maritime approaches, with 76% of their drug seizures in FY24 occurring in the maritime environment. Challenges include the diversion of Coast Guard resources to illegal immigrant interdictions and the need for more aircraft and modern vessels[ 00:29:48-01:44:03 ] . The expansion of customs waters from 12 to 24 nautical miles would enhance AMO's ability to enforce U.S. laws at sea.

Combating Domestic Drug Trafficking Networks and Enhancing Detection

Fentanyl smuggling occurs daily within the U.S. borders, using various transportation networks such as interstates, Amtrak, bus terminals, airports, and concealed mail. Non-intrusive inspection technologies, including vapor technology and advanced scanning systems, are crucial for detecting illicit substances at ports of entry and within the country. There is a significant need for more resources and tools for local law enforcement, including federal grants and technology to track financial transactions like Bitcoin, which cartels use for profit.

Legislative and Policy Recommendations

Several legislative actions are proposed, including the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2025 to end "catch-and-release" for Iranian drug runners and close loopholes for drone ship smuggling[ 00:32:00-00:32:08 ]

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. The Pay Our Coast Guard Act is also advocated to ensure Coast Guard personnel are paid during government shutdowns[ 00:32:18 ]

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. Texas enacted a law requiring medical examiners to classify fentanyl deaths as poisoning and created a murder offense for fentanyl distribution resulting in death. The "Stop Fentanyl Smuggling Act" and similar legislation are supported to attack transportation networks and accelerate next-generation inspection technologies.

Interagency and International Collaboration

Effective interdiction requires strong partnerships among federal, state, local, tribal, and international agencies. Programs like the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) are vital for coordinating these efforts and providing essential federal funding to local partners. International cooperation, such as joint patrols and intelligence sharing with allied nations, is crucial for dismantling transnational criminal organizations and intercepting precursor chemicals.

Tone of the Meeting

The tone of the meeting was one of profound seriousness and urgency, heavily influenced by the raw emotion of personal loss. There was a strong sense of bipartisan commitment to addressing the fentanyl crisis, with members emphasizing the devastating impact on American families and communities. Speakers expressed frustration over perceived governmental inaction and resource limitations, coupled with a determined resolve to implement more effective strategies and provide necessary tools to law enforcement. The overall sentiment conveyed a shared understanding that the nation is "at war" with illicit drugs and needs to intensify its efforts on all fronts.

Participants

Transcript

Good morning.  The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation will come to order.  Today, we're here to talk about stopping deadly drugs from crossing our maritime borders.  But you cannot stop illegal drugs from crossing a border if you don't believe in having them.  The Biden administration and former DHS Secretary Mayorkas   deliberately ignored the painful connection between their open border policies and the devastation wrought by illegally trafficked drugs on families, communities, and our country.  Trying to have a country without borders led to an influx of illegal aliens, drug smuggling, sex trafficking, and tragically far too many American lives lost.  That dereliction of basic sovereignty left the Coast Guard in an impossible position.   The Coast Guard has admitted it missed opportunities to intercept drugs because it was overwhelmed chasing and catching illegal immigrants.  Despite the Biden administration's lack of interest in border security, Republicans were able to make some progress.  In the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022, I secured funding for a blimp-based radar system at South Padre Island to combat drug runners, poachers, and human traffickers.   Today, it is still protecting South Texas.  Similarly, my provision requiring data sharing between CBP and the Coast Guard is streamlining interdiction in the southern maritime border, halting illegal incursions into the United States.  In contrast to Democrat ambivalence about the border crisis, President Trump and congressional Republicans are making real gains in border security through the Coast Guard.   In the last month, the Coast Guard interdicted an historic amount of illegal drugs.  Just last week, it offloaded 37,000 pounds of seized cocaine worth $279 million.
That's going to make a real difference in keeping communities safe from criminals and addiction.  But protecting Americans from deadly illicit narcotics extends beyond our borders.   We also need to reverse the Biden administration's dangerous policies in the Middle East, where maritime drug running bankrolls Iran's malign activities.  Coast Guard cutters recently caught advanced weapons originating in Iran and bound for the Houthis in Yemen, as well as hundreds of kilograms of methamphetamines, heroin, and other illegal drugs from Dow in the Arabian Sea.  The Coast Guard   and other federal agencies have been catching and releasing Iranian drug runners, meaning there was no consequence beyond losing cargo for financing terrorism.  Let me be clear.  Catch and release is a disgrace and an insult to those who've lost their lives to Iranian terrorism.  That's why I've included language in the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2025 to empower the Coast Guard and the Navy to respond forcefully   to DAOs running drugs and weapons when they've helped finance Iranian terror.  Under President Trump's leadership, we need to pass the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act and end the catch-and-release approach to Middle East drug enforcement.  That legislation, which has broad bipartisan and bicameral support, would also close a loophole in the ability to prosecute cartels for drug smuggling on remotely operated drone ships like the one in the hearing room today.   We also need to enact the Pay Our Coast Guard Act, which I will reintroduce this week, along with Senator Cantwell, Sullivan, Baldwin, Wicker, and Blunt Rochester, to ensure that the Coast Guard is no longer the only armed service that goes unpaid during a government shutdown.  As I've said before, the Coast Guard deserves to be paid without question and without delay.
Finally,   Today we will hear powerful testimony from the unthinkable damage caused by illicit drugs like fentanyl to American families.  Texan Jenna Eliger will testify about the effects this crisis had on her own family.  I'm grateful she is here today as she works to turn tragedy into progress, and I look forward to hearing from Mrs. Eliger and the rest of our witnesses about what law enforcement needs to protect our communities.   Another American lost to fentanyl is one too many.  I know that ranking member Cantwell agrees with me on this point, and that's why we're working together on legislation to stop illicit fentanyl smuggling in the United States.  I'm grateful for her partnership in this endeavor, and now turn to her for her opening statement.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for having this very important hearing on fentanyl and what our committee and committee jurisdiction can do to stop the scourge of fentanyl.   I very much appreciate the witnesses being here, Police Chief of Spokane, Chief Hall, and Mrs. Ellinger, I'm so sorry for your loss of your son, Jake.  You are such a brave advocate, and thank you.  There are many brave advocates, like Laura Lynch, who talks in Seattle about the loss of her dollar.  Brilliant.  And you are making a difference, so thank you for being here today.  And I look forward to working with you, Mr. Chairman, as we fight.   this scourge and work within our committee jurisdiction.  Of the 10 states with the highest number of drug-related overdoses, they all host major intermodal hubs.  That is to say, states like mine, Washington, and yours, Texas, are clear nexuses to transportation networks.  I think we're going to hear from Chief Hall about how those networks allow for the distribution of fentanyl once they are across the border.   And overdose deaths continue to rise in most Western states, up 14% in Washington just last year.  The supply chain is clear.

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