Madeleine Dean: “Too often, the speeches we make on the floor of this Chamber emphasize our differences and divisions, but this morning I…”

“Too often, the speeches we make on the floor of this Chamber emphasize our differences and divisions, but this morning I want to highlight and praise an act of bipartisanship, the creation of the Fentanyl Prevention Caucus. Some of you know my family's story and how lucky we are that our son was not a victim to fentanyl overdose or drug poisoning, but many families have not been so lucky. Too many. From 2021 to 2022, more than 107,000 people died of overdoses or fentanyl poisoning. Sixty-seven percent involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Whether we focus on the flow of chemicals from China, the trafficking of drugs over our border or through airports or ports of entry, we must come together to stop this poisoning that is killing our loved ones. This Congress needs to educate and legislate our way out of this tragedy. I believe this bipartisan caucus can do just that. I thank my fellow co-chairs, Representatives Neguse, Issa, and Calvert, for their leadership. Bipartisan work will save lives. ____________________”