END Fentanyl Act headed for president’s signature, with policy updates promised for CBP

After passing its final hurdles in the U.S. House, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott’s (R-FL) Eradicating Narcotic Drugs and Formulating Effective New Tools to Address National Yearly Losses of Life (END FENTANYL) Act is headed for review by President Joe Biden.

If signed into law, the bill – S.206 – would require the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to update the agency’s policies at least once every three years. The aim of this would be to make sure CBP’s policies are updated at least once every three years to ensure up to date operational field manuals.

“For too long, the fentanyl crisis has plagued our communities and caused crushing heartbreak to those who lose loved ones to these dangerous drugs,” Scott said. “As fentanyl continues to flow illegally into the U.S. over the southern border and kills tens of thousands of our citizens, we must do more to support our brave CBP agents, and all who are on the front lines of this battle to ensure they have every tool needed to keep these dangerous drugs out of our communities. Passage of the END FENTANYL Act is a big win in our fight against the lethal opioid epidemic, but it is not the end. I am thankful for my colleagues in the House and Senate voting for its passage, and I urge the president to quickly sign it into law.”

In addition to the regular updates required of CBP, the legislation would also kick off an annual report by CBP to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the House Committee on Homeland Security detailing any changes to policies or manuals.

Backed by outside groups such as the American Trucking Association and the National Border Patrol Council, co-sponsors included U.S. Sens. Mike Braun (R-IN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ). In the House, companion legislation was introduced by U.S. Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS) and co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-MD).

“It’s time we take a hard stance against the smuggling of this deadly drug,” Guest said. “With this legislation, we’re fighting to protect the American people from letting drug smugglers bring fentanyl into our communities. I am proud that the END FENTANYL Act is on its way to becoming law.”