Sioux Empire Today

U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson, alongside the Select Committee on China’s Fentanyl Policy Working Group, has introduced new legislation to address the ongoing fentanyl crisis and hold China accountable for its role in the epidemic. The bills were developed in response to research conducted by the working group on fentanyl's impact on American communities.

"China has been flooding our nation with fentanyl for years, profiting on the destruction and poisoning of American lives," stated Johnson. "Getting tough on China includes cracking down on their money-making fentanyl scheme, which is devastating American families. These bills will curb the flow of fentanyl and make our streets safer."

Fentanyl was responsible for nearly 70% of drug overdose deaths among adults aged 18-45 in 2022, a significant loss that many consider preventable.

Johnson joined the Fentanyl Policy Working Group in June 2024. The proposed legislation includes three key acts:

The Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics Act of 2024 proposes establishing a task force to counter synthetic narcotics, focusing primarily on opioids like fentanyl. It aims to enhance collaboration among federal agencies to disrupt trafficking networks and enforce sanctions while addressing China's role in the opioid crisis.

The CCP Fentanyl Sanctions Act seeks to target what is described as an "Achilles' heel" of fentanyl producers—their exposure to the U.S. banking system. This act establishes new sanctions against those involved in trafficking and expands existing sanctions to include Chinese vessels or ports facilitating illegal narcotic transportation.

The International Protection from PRC Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opioids Act intends to combat trafficking by imposing docking fees on Chinese entities that fail to implement necessary safeguards against fentanyl precursor production and exportation.

These legislative efforts are co-sponsored by Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI), Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), along with Representatives Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), and Michelle Steel (R-CA).