On the recordFebruary 2, 2022
Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for that insight. He has been in Congress a while, and he has seen a lot of leadership come and go. But I will tell you, Madam Speaker, what we are having right now is causing these crises. Once again, these crises are created and perpetuated by bad policy choices, and it is hurting the American people. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. McKinley), who is a gentleman with a lot of seniority in Congress. Mr. McKINLEY. Madam Speaker, my question is: Why hasn't Speaker Pelosi called for a vote on the HALT Fentanyl Act, which would make the dangerous fentanyl derivatives illegal permanently? Drug overdoses from fentanyl and derivatives have skyrocketed, hitting a tragically high level. Madam Speaker, 100,000 people died in America last year. Law enforcement officials in West Virginia are frustrated. From Clarksburg, Parkersburg, and Martinsburg, they are all saying the same thing, Madam Speaker: Enough is enough. A slap on the wrist, and these fentanyl dealers are back on the street, pushing their deadly poison into the hands of our children. What is Speaker Pelosi waiting for? Close the border. Put traffickers in jail. Increase sentences for dealers. Keep them out of our neighborhoods. Madam Speaker, enough is enough. Children are losing their mothers; wives are losing their husbands; and parents are losing their children.…





