Two Tillis-backed measures become law as part of national security supplemental package

Two bills supported by U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), one addressing the illegal trafficking of fentanyl and the other to freeze funds to Iran, became law on April 24 as part of a $95.3 billion national security supplemental appropriations package signed by President Joe Biden.

“I commend Congress for prioritizing the safety and security of our nation by passing these common-sense bills as a part of the recent national security supplemental,” Sen. Tillis said.

The Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act, S. 1271, and the Revoke Iranian Funding Act, 3049, both of which Sen. Tillis cosponsored, were included in legislation that will provide fiscal year 2024 supplemental appropriations to several federal agencies for assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The larger H.R. 815 also requires several actions to address the trafficking of fentanyl and other illicit opioids.

The bipartisan S. 1271, which U.S. Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced in April 2023, directs the U.S. Department of Treasury to use U.S. economic national security tools to quash the profits of the Chinese manufacturers and the Mexican cartels that push fentanyl across the U.S. border, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Tillis’ staff. 

“In the past nine years, 13,000 North Carolinians have died from fentanyl overdoses,” said Sen. Tillis. “We must do everything we can to end this epidemic, and the FEND Off Fentanyl Act will target the financial assets of criminal groups in China and Mexico that are responsible for the fentanyl crisis here in America.”

The GOP-led S. 3049, sponsored in October 2023 by Sen. Scott, requires the Treasury Department to submit an unclassified report and briefing to Congress identifying all assets of the Iranian regime or covered persons valued at more than $5 million held outside of Iran within 30 days of the legislation being signed into law, says a summary provided by Sen. Tillis’ staff. 

“The Revoke Iranian Funding Act will ensure Congress receives critical information regarding Iranian sanctions to take action against the Iranian regime and hold the Biden administration accountable,” Sen. Tillis said.