Womack Demands President Biden Take Action on Fentanyl

Statement

Today, Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3), Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-1), and more than 100 other members urged President Biden to take immediate action to stem the fentanyl scourge coming from China and across the southern border and support the permanent Schedule 1 classification of fentanyl related substances.

Congressman Womack said, "Chinese producers have exploited Mexico's trafficking networks through our porous southern border to unleash poison across our communities. Illicit fentanyl is now the number one cause of death of Americans aged 18-45. We don't need more stolen lives and devastated families. President Biden should be using every tool to hold these drug cartels responsible. Permanently making fentanyl a Schedule I drug to ensure criminals face severe consequences and securing our border is exactly where he should start."

"Fentanyl kills more people age 18-45 than car accidents, suicide, or COVID-19," said Congressman Steil. "We cannot stand by and watch as Americans are being killed by the flood of fentanyl related substances coming into our country. It is past time for President Biden to take seriously the need to secure our border, and make permanent fentanyl related substances Schedule 1 classification."

Fentanyl related substances have been on a temporary scheduling for Schedule I classification. The current Schedule I classification will expire February 18, 2022, when government funding expires. The lawmakers are seeking to make the Schedule I classification of fentanyl and fentanyl related substances permanent, which means it has no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

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