Florida Senator Rick Scott‘s bill known as the “End Fentanyl Act” was signed into law with bipartisan support. Below is an official statement from Sen. Scott’s office.
Last night, Senator Rick Scott’s bipartisan legislation, the Eradicating Narcotic Drugs and Formulating Effective New Tools to Address National Yearly Losses of Life (END FENTANYL) Act, was signed into law by President Joe Biden. The END FENTANYL Act will require the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to update its policies at least once every three years to ensure operational field manuals, including their drug interdiction guidance, are up to date. This legislation builds off the 2019 GAO report, “Land Ports of Entry: CBP Should Update Policies and Enhance Analysis of Inspections,” that found drug interdiction guidance has not been updated in 20 years. The END FENTANYL Act was cosponsored by Senators Jacky Rosen, Mike Braun, Maggie Hassan and Mark Kelly. Representatives Michael Guest and David Trone led the charge in the House of Representatives.
“For nearly two years, I have been fighting to make my bipartisan END FENTANYL Act law,” Sen. Scott said. “I am proud that Congress finally passed, and the president signed into law, this important legislation to better combat America’s lethal opioid epidemic. President Biden must do more to secure the border and stop the deadly fentanyl that continues to flow illegally into the U.S. over the southern border and kills tens of thousands of our citizens. I look forward to seeing the Biden administration immediately implement this law and give America’s brave CBP agents the tools needed to keep these dangerous drugs out of our communities. While nothing can heal the crushing heartbreak felt by the hundreds of thousands of families torn apart by fentanyl and who have lost loved ones, the END FENTANYL Act will make a difference in our fight to end the suffering. I am grateful for the strong support of Senators Jacky Rosen, Mike Braun, Maggie Hassan and Mark Kelly, and Representatives Michael Guest and David Trone in getting this done.”
The END FENTANYL Act:
- Requires the Commissioner of CBP to review and update the Office of Field Operations’ policies and handbooks, as necessary, and at least once every three years in order to respond to illegal activity, such as the trafficking of drugs and humans, along the border.
- Requires the Commissioner of CBP to submit a report to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives that summarizes the policy and manual changes every three years.
