FEND OFF Fentanyl Act included in national security supplemental

A bill targeting the illicit fentanyl supply chain, the Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act, S.1271, recently advanced through the U.S. Senate as part of the national security supplemental.

If ultimately approved, the legislation from bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) would declare international trafficking of fentanyl a national emergency and take a number of moves based on that. It would require presidential sanctions of transnational criminal organizations and drug cartels’ key members engaged in the trade, enable use of funds seized to further law enforcement efforts, and require reports to Congress on actions taken to reduce international drug trafficking, among other provisions. 

“Of critical importance to Americans here at home is my FEND Off Fentanyl Act, which is included and will target the financial assets of the criminal groups in China and Mexico poisoning our communities and profiting off the backs of Americans suffering from addiction,” Scott said. “The supplemental also holds the Biden administration accountable for their appeasement of Iran by including a critical reporting requirement from my Revoke Iranian Funding Act that will ensure Congress has the information on Iran sanctions it needs to provide oversight of the Biden administration and take action against the Iranian regime.”

The bill had 68 cosponsors and the backing of numerous national groups including both law enforcement associations like the Fraternal Order of Police and anti-opioid abuse organizations such as the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence.

Meanwhile, Scott introduced the Revoke Iranian Funding Act following the October terror attacks on Israel by Hamas. The bill requires the Department of Treasury to submit an unclassified report and briefing to Congress identifying Iranian assets valued at more than $5 million held outside of Iran, within 30 days of the legislation entering law.