Congressman John Moolenaar Chairman of the Select Committee on the CCP | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman John Moolenaar Chairman of the Select Committee on the CCP | Official U.S. House headshot
Lawmakers from the Select Committee's Fentanyl Policy Working Group have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at addressing the fentanyl crisis in the United States. The announcement was made during the group's final meeting of the 118th Congress.
Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, along with Representatives Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), presented three bills targeting China's role in the crisis. The proposed legislation seeks to enhance law enforcement coordination, impose sanctions on China-based entities involved in drug trafficking, and introduce fines for PRC shippers failing to maintain transparency.
The working group includes Reps. Neal Dunn (R-FL), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), and Michelle Steel (R-CA). They have developed three bills: The Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics Act of 2024, The CCP Fentanyl Sanctions Act, and The International Protection from PRC Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opioids Act.
"Earlier this spring, the Select Committee uncovered new evidence showing how the Chinese Communist Party directly fuels America’s fentanyl crisis," said Chairman Moolenaar. "It is now abundantly clear that the CCP is not just turning a blind eye to the fentanyl crisis; it is causing it."
Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi emphasized Congress's role if China does not act: "If the CCP won’t take action, Congress will."
"For too long, China has profited from the destruction of American lives," stated Congressman Newhouse.
Congressman Auchincloss highlighted sanctions as a tool against Chinese manufacturers: "The CCP Fentanyl Sanctions Act sanctions Chinese chemical manufacturers that are profiting by poisoning the American people."
Other members echoed these sentiments. Congressman Dunn stressed swift action against China's practices, while Congressman Khanna focused on closing trade loopholes used by China. Congressman Johnson praised efforts to curtail fentanyl flow into America. Congressman Torres called for urgent steps to tackle synthetic opioid trafficking linked to China.
The Joint Task Force aims to coordinate federal agencies against synthetic narcotics trafficking. It will focus on both international and domestic cooperation concerning China's involvement in opioid distribution.
The CCP Fentanyl Sanctions Act targets producers' exposure to U.S. banking systems by codifying new authorities based on Executive Order 14059.
Lastly, The International Protection from PRC Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opioids Act introduces penalties for non-compliant PRC shippers, funding anti-trafficking efforts through collected fines.
Alerts Sign-up