Dear Mr. Chairman and Senator Scott,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our support for S. 1271, the “Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act.”
Fentanyl is killing Americans. In 2021, more than 100,000 Americans died from a drug overdose—65% of which are attributable to fentanyl. It is time that we recognize the nature of the threat our country is facing and develop a comprehensive, national strategy to reduce overdoses, disrupt trafficking operations, attack the traffickers with sanctions, and prioritize anti-money laundering related to the illicit opioid trade.
The bill being considered by the Committee would correctly identify that the international trafficking of fentanyl is a national emergency that poses a direct threat to American lives. The legislation would direct the resources of the U.S. government to target the fentanyl supply chain from the chemical suppliers in China to the cartels in Mexico smuggling it into the United States, by implementing and enforcing sanctions on criminal actors and organizations. The bill would also direct the U.S. Department of the Treasury to use special measures to combat money-laundering operations related to trafficking in fentanyl and similar opioids which will reduce the profitability of the drug trade.
On behalf of the more than 367,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I urge the Committee to favorably report this bill and expedite its passage in the Senate. If I can provide any additional information on this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President