Con. Chavez-DeRemer introduces END FENTANYL Act

By Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05)

Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) recently joined Reps. Michael Guest (MS-03) and David Trone (MD-06) to help introduce the END FENTANYL Act, which would require U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to identify improvements for preventing drug and human trafficking. The bipartisan and bicameral legislation builds off a 2019 report

from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that found drug interdiction guidance has not been updated in 20 years.

“Unfortunately, Oregon leads the nation in drug problems, and it stems from illegal substances being smuggled across the southern border. We must use every tool possible to put an end to this crisis, which has already taken far too many lives – including the lives of children. The END FENTANYL Act would require a review of outdated policies and procedures in an effort to help mitigate dangerous drug trafficking. I’ll continue working closely with my colleagues and border patrol agents to ensure those on the front lines have the resources needed to keep themselves and our communities safe,” Chavez-DeRemer said.

The Eradicating Narcotic Drugs and Formulating Effective New Tools to Address National Yearly Losses of life (END FENTANYL) Act would require CBP to update its manuals at least once every three years to identify ways to help prevent drug and human smuggling activity through ports of entry. After each review, CBP would be required to report to Congress on any changes that are made.

The proposal is also supported by Reps. Mike Ezell (MS-04), Tony Gonzalez (TX-23), Angie Craig (MN-02), Susie Lee (NV-03), and Dina Titus (NV-01). It was introduced in the U.S. Senate earlier this year by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and is supported by Sens. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.). It passed the Senate unanimously last Congress.

Following recent meetings at the southern border, Chavez-DeRemer also announced her support for the Felony Murder for Deadly Fentanyl Distribution Act and the Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act to deter fentanyl trafficking and protect law enforcement. The largest fentanyl bust in Oregon’s history happened in the 5th District last year, when law enforcement seized enough fentanyl powder to kill the entire population of Oregon. The suspect was being investigated for trafficking fentanyl that was manufactured in Mexico.