Gus Bilirakis: “In Pasco County, one of the counties in my district, we have seen a huge spike in overdoses, including 25 fatalities in…”

“In Pasco County, one of the counties in my district, we have seen a huge spike in overdoses, including 25 fatalities in the month of June alone. Very, very sad. During January through June 2021, we have seen more overdoses than any other similar period on record. Fentanyl continues to be a significant factor. We must do everything we can to prevent fentanyl from flooding our streets, including stopping the free flow at our Nation's southern border. I have been to the border, Madam Speaker, and I have seen how easy it is to move drugs into our country. We must secure our border. Additionally, we must implement commonsense safeguards to prevent opioid abuse and improve access to quality treatment options. I will continue to work on these priorities. Separately, Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 18, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under guidelines consistently issued by successive Speakers, as recorded in section 956 of the House Rules and Manual, the Chair is constrained not to entertain the request unless it has been cleared by the bipartisan floor and committee leaderships. ____________________”