U.S. Rep. Angie Craig Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Help Stop Fentanyl At Southern Border

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Angie Craig today announced bipartisan legislation aimed at helping to stop the smuggling of illicit fentanyl through U.S. ports of entry. 

The bipartisan, bicameral Eradicating Narcotic Drugs and Formulating Effective New Tools to Address National Yearly Losses of life (END FENTANYL) Act would require Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to update its manuals at least every three years to identify ways to help prevent drug and human smuggling through ports of entry. 

The END FENTANYL Act would also increase oversight of CBP by requiring the agency to notify Congress of any changes in protocol.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, opioid-involved overdose deaths increased by 44% between 2020 and 2021, with fentanyl involved in the majority of cases.

“I’ve heard stories of too many Minnesota families getting torn apart by the overflow of fentanyl in our communities, and this bipartisan legislation takes important steps to help stop these illicit drugs before they enter our country in the first place,” said Rep. Craig. “This is not a Democratic crisis or a Republican crisis – it’s an American crisis. And I’ll keep working with members of both parties to get results.”

Last week, Rep. Craig led 28 Members from both parties urging the Food and Drug Administration to fully approve Narcan for over-the-counter distribution. Narcan is a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses.

In February, Rep. Craig traveled with Republicans and Democrats to the Southern Border for a hearing on the fentanyl crisis where she called for bipartisan cooperation to keep Americans safe from illegal drugs.

The END FENTANYL Act was introduced by Reps. Craig, Michael Guest (R-MS), David Trone (D-MD), Mike Ezell (R-MS), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR), Tony Gonzales (R-TX), Susie Lee (D-NV) and Dina Titus (D-NV).

Click here to read the END FENTANYL Act.

###