[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 22 (Thursday, February 3, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H922]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   FENTANYL-RELATED DEATHS ARE RISING

  (Mr. OBERNOLTE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. OBERNOLTE. Madam Speaker, I rise today deeply alarmed by the 
increase in fentanyl-related deaths in my district.
  According to the San Bernardino County sheriff, there were over 100 
fentanyl-related incidents in my district in the last year, resulting 
in the death of nearly 100 of my constituents. In fact, Madam Speaker, 
in the last 3 years, fentanyl-related deaths in my community have 
increased over 600 percent. According to the sheriff, this is a direct 
result of the trafficking of fentanyl across our southern border with 
Mexico.
  Last year the Inland Empire regional drug task force seized over 600 
pounds of fentanyl, and they estimate the majority of that originated 
in Mexico.
  Madam Speaker, this is a direct result of our failure to secure our 
southern border and the changes in Federal policy as relates to the 
southern border that have been enacted in the last year.
  Madam Speaker, we must stop this trafficking of fentanyl across the 
border and protect our community by securing our southern border.

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