Duval Times

Senator Rick Scott's bipartisan legislation, the END FENTANYL Act, has received unanimous full Congressional passage, marking a significant step in the fight against the fentanyl crisis. The bill, cosponsored by Senators Mike Braun, Maggie Hassan, Jacky Rosen, and Mark Kelly, aims to provide the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with updated tools to combat drug smuggling along the southern border.

In response to the passage of the END FENTANYL Act, Senator Rick Scott expressed his gratitude, stating, "Passage of the END FENTANYL Act is a big win in our fight against the lethal opioid epidemic, but it is not the end." He urged the president to quickly sign the bill into law, emphasizing the importance of supporting CBP agents in their efforts to keep dangerous drugs out of communities.

Senator Mike Braun highlighted the impact of the fentanyl crisis on families in Indiana, stating, "The Mexican drug cartels are pushing this poison onto our streets through our southern border, and the END FENTANYL Act passing the House is a big step for fighting this crisis."

Senator Jacky Rosen, reflecting on her visit to the southern border, emphasized the importance of providing law enforcement with additional tools and training to prevent fentanyl smuggling and save lives. She stated, "Far too many communities across Nevada have been impacted by the fentanyl crisis, and I'm glad to see our bipartisan END FENTANYL Act is now headed to the president's desk to become law."

Senator Mark Kelly, who has firsthand experience with the effects of fentanyl trafficking in Arizona, highlighted the significance of the bill in enabling CBP officers to better tackle the crisis and prevent the trafficking of deadly drugs through ports of entry.

Senator Maggie Hassan commended the bipartisan effort behind the bill, noting its importance in helping law enforcement stay ahead of drug traffickers' tactics and stemming the flow of fentanyl across the border.

Representative Michael Guest emphasized the need to protect Americans from the smuggling of fentanyl, stating, "With this legislation, we're fighting to protect the American people from letting drug smugglers bring fentanyl into our communities."

Various stakeholders, including Brandon Judd, President of the National Border Patrol Council, and Ed Gilroy, Chief Advocacy and Public Affairs Officer of the American Trucking Association, also voiced their support for the END FENTANYL Act, highlighting the importance of enhancing CBP's ability to intercept fentanyl and prevent its entry into communities.

The END FENTANYL Act includes provisions that require the Commissioner of CBP to update policies and handbooks to respond to illegal activities along the border, as well as to submit regular reports to Congress summarizing policy changes.

With bipartisan support and recognition of the urgent need to address the fentanyl crisis, the passage of the END FENTANYL Act represents a crucial step towards enhancing border security and protecting communities from the devastating impact of illicit drugs.