Rob Portman

I think that the threats we talked about do present a national security threat to the United States of America.

I continue to have real concerns about the Medicaid policies in this bill especially those that impact drug treatment at a time when Ohio is facing an opioid epidemic.

Do no harm is part of your objective here.

I am excited about the opportunity to improve the agreement from our perspective.

I think the notion of opioids being an accelerant to what you and Attorney General DeWine just talked about is actually an apt description.

We want you to live up to your full potential.

This is ultimately going to be solved through a comprehensive approach focusing on the local community.

I think you have 165 cosponsors, I am told.

Senator Portman and I introduced the STOP Act, which aims to stop dangerous synthetic drugs from being shipped through our own postal service.

I hope you personally will roll up your sleeves and get involved in this, because I do think it is incredibly important.

I appreciate that, and what I am asking for today is your personal commitment that should you be confirmed that you will be supportive of getting FPISC set up.

I felt it was my responsibility to provide information.

These drugs are coming from overseas, primarily from China, and are being sold in our country really almost on a basis that could be considered an act of terrorism.

I think the crisis is going to get worse.

In my belief, once we reduce demand then we will reduce supply.

It would definitely help cutting off that supply.

I plead with this panel to do all it can to help us by stopping this poison from even getting into the country.

I commend this Committee for taking the time to hear, investigate, and look into ways to help reduce these powerful synthetics from entering our country, drug supply, and our communities.

Thank you. Senator Hassan.

How many more Americans have to die before our government gets its act together and makes sure that the pilot is working?

Well, that is what the STOP Act is about, is making that mandatory and moving away from just making it a pilot, but making it a requirement.

Much better to have targeted packages where you have reason to suspect a package by having this advance electronic data.

It is time to follow up on what Congress passed 15 years ago, which was asking the then-Cabinet Secretary in charge, now Homeland Security and the Postal Service and the Commissioner to come up with a plan.

No question it is a crisis and we want you to prioritize, but, unfortunately, what we have seen is there is transshipment of this stuff.

I would like to think it could be done safely.