Congressional Focus on Fentanyl Response

The House of Representatives recently passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes $840 billion in defense spending for FY23 to bolster the development of new technology, coordination with America’s network of allies and partners, and support for service members and their families. The NDAA also contains priorities related to combating the opioid crisis, including Representative David Trone’s (D-MD) FENTANYL Results Act, which would authorize the State Department to develop programs to assist foreign law enforcement efforts to identify synthetic drug trafficking and establish an exchange program for international drug demand reduction experts.

UPCOMING SENATE HEARING Additionally, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) will hold a hearing on Fighting Fentanyl: The Federal Response to a Growing Crisis on Tuesday, July 26 at 9:00 am CT. Witnesses include:

• Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, SAMHSA Asst. Secretary

• Carole Johnson, HRSA Administrator

• Dr. Christopher Jones, Acting Director, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

• Kemp Chester, Senior Policy Advisor for Supply Reduction and International Relations, ONDCP