U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) on April 19 cosponsored a GOP-led bill that would authorize the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to restrict migration and imports from foreign countries if HHS determines that substantial illicit drug smuggling from a country exists and poses a risk to public health.
The Stop Fentanyl Border Crossings Act, S. 1192, is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and 10 original cosponsors, including Sen. Young and U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Steve Daines (R-MT).
Current law authorizes HHS to restrict migration and imports from foreign countries to prevent the introduction of communicable diseases. If enacted, S. 1192 would add drug smuggling as an additional basis for Title 42 immigration enforcement authority to preserve the use of America’s border patrol agents as an essential tool to remove illegal border crossers and stop the drug trafficking that is fueling the nation’s overdose epidemic, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Young’s office.
“The flow of fentanyl into Indiana from our southern border is causing Hoosier families to lose loved ones far too soon. Fentanyl is now killing more young Americans than cancer, car accidents, or COVID,” Sen. Young said on Tuesday. “This is a crisis that cannot be ignored.”
Sen. Hagerty pointed out that 70,000 Americans die annually from drug overdoses — most from fentanyl coming across the U.S. southern border.
“With the Biden Administration pushing to end Title 42 in May, it is unconscionable for Congress to stand aside and do nothing to preserve it,” said Senator Hagerty. “Congress must take up and pass this commonsense legislation without delay — too many innocent American lives hang in the balance.”
The bill has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.