U.S. Senator Katie Britt joined colleagues to introduce the FEND Off Fentanyl Act and the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act.
The Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act is a bipartisan bill designed to target the flow of the deadly narcotic into the United States by empowering the U.S. Department of the Treasury to target, sanction, and block the financial assets of transnational criminal organizations trafficking fentanyl. In addition, the proceeds from any seized assets would be used to further law enforcement efforts.
“The people who are truly profiting from trafficking fentanyl, from the precursor producers in China to the ruthless cartels in Mexico, are well-financed, well-organized, and well-connected,” said Senator Britt. “Giving the Treasury Department the tools to impose meaningful penalties will help ensure that we can curb the deadly flow of fentanyl into our country and work to end the devastation that this poison has brought to our communities, schools, and families.”
Fentanyl is now the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 45, and more than 150 people die each day from overdoses related to fentanyl.
This bill is led by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).
“I hear over and over from Ohioans that we need new, more powerful tools to prevent the flow of these drugs to our communities,” said Brown. “Our bipartisan bill targets these drugs at the source. We are going after the illicit fentanyl supply chain, from China through Mexico, to help stop increasingly dangerous forms of this drug before they ever reach our communities.”
The Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act will empower local law enforcement and ensure they can work with federal authorities to enforce existing immigration laws. This bill would also pull taxpayer-funded grants from municipalities that adopt “sanctuary cities” policies which forbid their police departments from cooperating with federal authorities in immigrant enforcement actions.
“Ensuring that our citizens can live the American Dream regardless of their zip code starts with public safety,” Sen. Britt stated. “At a time when our nation is facing an unprecedented crisis at our southern border, we can’t have municipalities picking and choosing what laws they want to follow. I’m proud to support Senator Cruz’s effort to stop the dangerous policies of sanctuary cities and put power back into the hands of law enforcement.”
The legislation is led by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
“So-called ‘sanctuary cities’ refuse to enforce the laws on the books and release violent criminals in our country illegally—including rapists and murders—who go on to prey on both American citizens and the immigrant community,” Sen. Cruz said. “Moreover, many of these sanctuary jurisdictions actively prevent state and local law enforcement from coordinating with their federal counterparts. They release murderers, rapists, and burglars who end up preying on the community. That is wrong. The American people, and Texas communities in particular, are tired of seeing our laws flouted and the crime that often accompanies illegal immigration. These jurisdictions need to be held accountable, and I will do everything I can to enforce our immigration laws.”
Sen. Tommy Tuberville is also one of the co-sponsors.
Senator Britt has made three visits to the border since being sworn into office in January.
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