[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 147 (Wednesday, September 28, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              DANGEROUS SYNTHETIC DRUG CONTROL ACT OF 2016

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BOB GOODLATTE

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 26, 2016

  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3537, the 
``Dangerous Synthetic Drug Control Act''. I want to thank Congressman 
Katko and Congressman Dent for their work on this important 
legislation.
  Earlier this year, Congress passed S. 524, the Comprehensive 
Addiction and Recovery Act, or CARA. That historic legislation was 
vitally important because, today, the United States faces an epidemic 
of opioid abuse. More than 120 Americans are dying every day from 
overdoses.
  H.R. 3537 continues Congress's stated commitment to stem the tide of 
drug abuse and death, by placing 22 synthetic substances on schedule I 
of the Controlled Substances Act. These 22 substances represent the 
``worst of the worst'' synthetic drugs, and include three varieties of 
fentanyl, a powerful opioid which is all too familiar to Members of 
this body, as well as to our constituents, families, and loved ones. 
Fentanyl is up to 100 times more powerful than morphine, and has led to 
a rash of deaths across the country.
  The federal agencies charged with battling drug abuse--specifically, 
the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Food and Drug Administration, 
and the National Institute on Drug Abuse--have all concurred that these 
substances are the ``worst of the worst,'' and have no medicinal use. 
People are overdosing and dying because of them right now. Congress 
cannot sit on its hands and allow this to continue happening.
  I want to address a couple of misconceptions about this legislation. 
First, some have argued that the bill will prevent these substances 
from being researched. But that is a specious claim. Federal law 
permits schedule I controlled substances to be researched, via FDA-
approved ``new drug'' applications and DEA schedule I research 
registrations. The application requirements are significant, but that 
is appropriate since, again, these drugs are the worst of the worst. If 
you are experimenting with these substances, which have killed people, 
you should be held to the highest standards of scientific research.
  Second, some of my colleagues have argued that this legislation would 
impose mandatory minimum sentences on people for simple possession of 
these synthetic substances. Again, this is erroneous. In order to 
receive a mandatory minimum sentence under the Controlled Substances 
Act, a defendant has to possess more than a certain amount of a drug 
that appears on a list in federal law. None of the synthetic substances 
in H.R. 3537 appear on that list. As a result, even with the passage of 
this bill the only way a defendant could be subject to a mandatory 
minimum is if a user suffers death or serious bodily injury after 
consuming the drug.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3537 is good, timely legislation that will 
criminalize some extremely dangerous substances that are killing 
American citizens. It is a stopgap, since a more comprehensive solution 
is needed down the road, and I look forward to working with my 
colleagues on comprehensive synthetic drug legislation. But Congress 
must pass this legislation now to get these substances off the streets 
now.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important bill.

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