Michelle Fischbach: “Over 100,000 people died from fentanyl overdoses in a 1-year span, according to the CDC. That is a 30 percent increase…”

“Over 100,000 people died from fentanyl overdoses in a 1-year span, according to the CDC. That is a 30 percent increase from the year before. I think we can all agree that something must be done to put a stop to this heartbreaking epidemic. Fentanyl has been temporarily classified as a schedule I substance. This classification strengthens law enforcement's ability to prosecute fentanyl traffickers, and the DEA reports that it has acted as an effective deterrent. The temporary classification is set to expire on February 18, 2022. The HALT Fentanyl Act would make the schedule classification permanent and would also promote research by removing regulation to streamline the research process. We should do everything we possibly can to put an end to the devastation caused by fentanyl in this country. And the HALT Fentanyl Act is one piece of the puzzle that could make a real difference. To further explain this amendment, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Griffith), the author of the bill.”