Extending Temporary Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2630) to amend the Temporary Reauthorization and Study of the Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act to extend until September 2021, a temporary order for fentanyl-related substances, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 2630
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Extending Temporary Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act''. SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY ORDER FOR FENTANYL-RELATED SUBSTANCES.
Effective as if included in the enactment of the Temporary Reauthorization and Study of the Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act (Public Law 116-114), section 2 of such Act (Public Law 116-114) is amended by striking ``May 6, 2021'' and inserting ``October 22, 2021''. SEC. 3. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. PALLONE. 2630.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise to seek support for the Extending Temporary Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act.
As we continue to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, we are also facing a tragic, growing trend of overdose deaths across this country.
We have lost nearly 1 million Americans since the beginning of the Nation's drug epidemic. These Americans are sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, neighbors, coworkers, and members of our communities. Now, data tells us that the COVID-19 pandemic, increased isolation, and related economic hardships over the past year may be hampering efforts to turn the tide.
Last week, Madam Speaker, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its most recent data finding that, from August 2019 to August 2020, there were 88,000 overdose deaths reported. That is the highest ever recorded in a 12-month period.
This most recent data represents a worsening crisis driven primarily by synthetic opioids, such as illicitly manufactured fentanyl. This drug is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Although fentanyl itself is often used for medical purposes, use of illicitly manufactured fentanyl has increased in recent years, including co-use with cocaine and methamphetamines. As little as 2 milligrams can cause a lethal overdose.
Congress has recognized this unprecedented threat and acted in strong bipartisan fashion to combat it with resources to communities around the country. We passed major pieces of legislation like the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, the 21st Century Cures Act, and the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act.
At the end of last year, in the final omnibus bill, we included over $4 billion to increase mental health and substance use services and support. Recognizing the worsening trends early this year, we passed the American Rescue Plan last month that provided an additional $4 billion in resources. This critical funding will be used to enhance mental health and substance use disorder services supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Indian Health Service.
Madam Speaker, while this critical assistance is on the way, unfortunately, due to the disturbing rates of overdose and substance use, more work is clearly needed. The Biden administration is asking Congress to extend a temporary tool we provided last Congress so that agency experts can come together to examine the facts and come up with an effective, long-term solution. That tool is the authority to temporarily classify fentanyl-related substances as schedule I substances under the Controlled Substances Act.
Ensuring fentanyl-related substances remain scheduled will maintain an important deterrent to traffickers, manufacturers, and those distributing this substance.
During an Energy and Commerce Committee hearing last week, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy's Acting Director Regina LaBelle testified on the importance of this extension. Acting Director LaBelle highlighted ongoing discussions with the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Justice, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. She testified that an extension of this temporary authority would allow executive branch agencies time to convene and present a long-term solution to this ever-changing drug environment that balances the risk of illicit fentanyl with the need to ensure appropriate enforcement.
The Biden administration is taking this drug epidemic seriously and has delivered a thoughtful, thorough set of drug policy priorities. I ask my colleagues to join me in giving these agency experts time to produce a thoughtful, thorough solution to this scourge of overdose deaths.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Pappas), the sponsor of this legislation.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I would urge support for this bipartisan bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source