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This week, Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5) joined the Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittees on Health and Oversight and Investigations to conduct the first field hearing of the 118^th Congress at the southern border in McAllen, Texas, to discuss the ongoing border crisis, including Latta’s legislation – the HALT Fentanyl Act – which would crack down on the illegal trafficking of lethal fentanyl.  

“Due to the Biden Administration’s weak border enforcement policies, drug cartels are exploiting our southern border by trafficking deadly fentanyl into our country that’s poisoning and killing Americans by the thousands,” Latta said. “A crisis of this magnitude commands our attention, which is why this week the Energy and Commerce Committee took action by holding the first congressional field hearing of the year at our nation’s southern border.”Latta continued,“During our hearing, we questioned officials and heard from witnesses who discussed the importance of passing legislation I’ve introduced with Rep. Morgan Griffith, the HALT Fentanyl Act, that will crack down on the scourge of fentanyl and help save lives. It’s far past time Congress addresses the crisis at our southern border. Passing the HALT Fentanyl Actand advancing other border security measures that put the safety and well-being of American communities first are necessary steps in the right direction.” 

Latta and members of the Energy and Commerce Committee heard from the following witnesses:

·    Urbino Martinez, Brooks County Sheriff

·    Stuart Archer, CEO, Oceans Health Care

·    Rochelle M. Garza, President, Texas Civil Rights Project

·    Brandon Judd, President, National Border Patrol Council

Click here to view Latta’s line of questioning.

Background on the HALT Fentanyl Act:

Last month, Latta and Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-9) reintroduced their HALT Fentanyl Act. The bill would permanently schedule fentanyl-related substances as a Schedule I narcotic to help crack down on the scourge of fentanyl poisoning communities across America. Latta and Griffith originally introduced the HALT Fentanyl Act in December of 2021, but with Democrats controlling the U.S. House of Representatives during the 117^th Congress, the bill was not brought to the U.S. House Floor for a vote.  

HALT Fentanyl Act is a Drug Enforcement Agency priority: 

This month, a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) official testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee and stated that having fentanyl-related substances fall under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act will allow the DEA to “arrest and seize when we encounter fentanyl related substances.” The DEA official also stated in his testimony that it costs drug cartels as little as ten cents to produce a fentanyl-laced fake prescription pill sold in the United States. That means with a mere dime, drug cartels are able kill one American. 

Background on fentanyl overdoses:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 2011 to 2012 there were roughly 2,600 fentanyl overdoses in the United States. For comparison, in 2021, there were over 70,000 fentanyl related overdoses in the United States. According to the Ohio Department of Health, over 5,000 Ohioans died of an overdose in 2020, with 81% of those attributed to fentanyl.

Background on fentanyl:

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. This substance is easily cut or mixed with other illicit drugs – like heroin – or laced in fake pharmaceutical drugs that mimic drugs like oxycodone. The lethal dose of fentanyl is 2mg. For reference, 2mg is the amount that would fit in the ear of President Lincoln on a penny.