House advances opioid trafficking act

The U.S. House of Representatives advanced last week bipartisan legislation that would create a task force within the Department of Homeland Security.

The Joint Task Force to Combat Opioid Trafficking Act is aimed at preventing foreign fentanyl and other opioids from entering the country. The department would be encouraged to work with federal, state, and local government agencies, and private partners when developing the task force.

Joint task forces bring together different department units to work to tackle difficult homeland security challenges.

“My Joint Task Force to Combat Opioid Trafficking Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to better coordinate to prevent fentanyl and other opioids from crossing our border and entering our local communities in the first place,” Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI), who introduced the bill, said. “I am thrilled it passed in the House with bipartisan support, and I urge my Senate colleagues to join us and pass this important legislation.”

Approximately, 130 Americans die daily from an opioid overdose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of nationwide overdose deaths involving opioids increased six-fold between 1999 and 2017, including fatalities from illicitly manufactured fentanyl.

The bill was co-sponsored by Reps. Peter King (R-NY), Michael McCaul (R-TX), and Max Rose (D-NY).