Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the addiction crisis that continues to impact just about every community and every family across this country. Many of us have lost neighbors, friends, and loved ones. Despite significant efforts at all levels of government, recent statistics show the problem is worsening. My hometown of Manchester saw a 22 percent increase in opioid-related overdoses last year and a 41 percent increase in opioid-related deaths. We must do more to confront this crisis to support those who are suffering from substance use disorder and to stop the trafficking of fentanyl and its analogues. These substances, which authorities are now finding in nearly all illicit drugs, have only made this crisis more and more deadly. That is why last week, alongside Representatives Dan Newhouse and Tony Gonzales, I reintroduced the Save Americans from the Fentanyl Emergency Act. Our bill would permanently schedule all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs. This would ensure that law enforcement retains an important tool to get these deadly drugs off the streets and hold traffickers accountable. It will help save lives. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation. ____________________”