Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This bill is a commonsense step to address the fentanyl crisis and save American lives. By requiring U.S. Customs and Border Protection to incorporate and continually update uniform policies and standards for their operations at ports of entry, we can be sure our officers continually adapt and implement their inspection practices to the changing dynamics of illicit activities along U.S. borders. It is important that we continue supporting necessary improvements for our ports of entry, where approximately 90 percent of CBP's fentanyl seizures occur. This bill complements the unprecedented progress that the Department of Homeland Security has made in recent years to stop fentanyl from entering our communities. DHS has launched new cross-government efforts to target smugglers and put more personnel, technology, infrastructure, and resources at our border. As a result, DHS has seized more fentanyl and arrested more criminals for fentanyl-related crimes in the last 2 years than over the last previous 5 years combined. DHS has taken serious action to thwart human trafficking and human smuggling through ports of entry. The END FENTANYL Act builds on these efforts, as well. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.”