Sheila Jackson Lee: “I thank the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce for the constant diligence that he has in the landscape of…”

“I thank the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce for the constant diligence that he has in the landscape of healthcare and energy, consumer issues. Certainly, as a member of the Committee on the Judiciary, we are looking forward to working with this committee on a very important matter. So I want to acknowledge the work of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and indicate that isn't it sad that we have not been able to find common ground to work on this issue. I am very concerned that what we are now doing, we probably would need more time for our committees to work together. I am concerned that we might be extending the Trump administration's temporary class-wide emergency scheduling of fentanyl, a substance that all of us vigorously opposed. Madam Speaker, I think the chairman is well-aware of my longstanding concern on criminalizing substance abuse instead of preventing and treating it. I know that our two committees have a common perspective and agreement on that, but I have seen failed policies in my own neighborhood that have disproportionately impacted communities of color. For instance, in the 1980s, Congress adopted harsh mandatory minimum sentences for crack cocaine offenses and putting many in unjust and lengthy terms of imprisonment. Madam Speaker, I simply want to indicate an acknowledgment of fentanyl and its impact that it has had, and I want to acknowledge the importance of us working together.…”