Heinrich Applauds Inclusion of Major Fentanyl Legislation in National Security Supplemental, Presses House Republicans to Immediately Pass Bill to Save American Lives
“If House Republicans are serious about saving American lives and protecting our national security interests, they will pass this legislation right away”
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement applauding the inclusion of the FEND Off Fentanyl Act in the bipartisan National Security Supplemental that the Senate passed on Tuesday morning. A cosponsor of the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, Heinrich is leading efforts in the Senate to tackle the opioid epidemic and protect New Mexican communities from fentanyl.
“Passing the FEND Off Fentanyl Act into law is one of the most significant steps we can take to effectively address the fentanyl epidemic that’s killing New Mexicans and tearing families apart. By giving law enforcement the tools needed to crack down on drug traffickers and international criminal organizations, this bill will combat the flow of deadly fentanyl before it ever reaches our nation’s borders,” said Heinrich. “If House Republicans are serious about saving American lives and protecting our national security interests, they will pass the National Security Supplemental right away.”
The Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act, bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), targets the fentanyl crisis by wielding our country’s economic tools against transnational criminal organizations. The bill would impose new sanctions and anti-money laundering penalties targeting the illicit fentanyl supply chain, from the chemical suppliers in China to the cartels that transport the drugs in from Mexico.
Read a one-page summary of the FEND Off Fentanyl Act HERE.
Background:
Heinrich cosponsored the FEND Off Fentanyl Act in May.
In addition to supporting the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, Heinrich has taken numerous actions to address the opioid epidemic in New Mexico.
Last week, Heinrich led a bipartisan letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urging the agency to include Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), specifically buprenorphine and methadone, in its List of Essential Medicines, an action that would significantly help health care providers address the ongoing opioid epidemic.
In August, Heinrich announced 24 local projects in the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill that would improve access to quality health care and help medical providers treat mental health and substance use disorders in New Mexico.
In July, Heinrich announced 13 local projects and secured bill language in the Senate Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill to help fight the opioid epidemic. That bill included a new Fentanyl Tracking System as well as language directing the DEA to take further actions to remove barriers to access to opioid use disorder medications.
In May, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich led a bipartisan group of senators in calling on the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to take further action to remove barriers to buprenorphine, a lifesaving drug used to treat opioid use disorder.
