Gus Bilirakis: “I thank the chairman of the Health Subcommittee for his leadership and for yielding me time. Madam Chair, I rise today…”

“I thank the chairman of the Health Subcommittee for his leadership and for yielding me time. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of the HALT Fentanyl Act. The American people are in the midst of a staggering illicit fentanyl crisis. Our kids are dying, Madam Chair. We need to do everything we possibly can to help these kids. Sadly, we read daily headlines, Madam Chair, of adults, teens, and even toddlers who have died from fentanyl poisoning. My colleagues across the aisle, they kicked the can down the road. They have kicked it down the road too long, Madam Chair, and look at the consequences as fentanyl-related substances still remain only temporarily scheduled. The time is now to make it permanent. Today, we take an overdue step in the right direction, and as a proud advocate for individuals suffering with substance use disorder, I know this is just one step. Much more needs to be done, and I am thankful the gentleman has brought this bill to the floor. Sadly, we continue to see a huge influx of fentanyl-related substances into the country from across the Mexican border, from cartels using chemicals imported from China and India. {time} 1800 I am disheartened to see communities across my State of Florida and across the Nation bearing the ramifications of these criminal actors and our open-border policies. We must secure the border. This is a nonpartisan issue, in my opinion, and we must come together to address the opioid crisis.…”