[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 22, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E656]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          PREVENT EXPOSURE TO NARCOTICS AND TOXICS ACT OF 2021

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2022

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5274, known 
as the PREVENT Act of 2021.
  The Prevent Exposure to Narcotics and Toxics Act seeks to amend the 
Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide additional training for U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection personnel.
  The training outlined in the amendment would instruct U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection on containment devices which prevent secondary 
exposure to fentanyl and other lethal substances.
  These containment devices reduce exposure to hazardous substances and 
can improve investigations by better preserving chemical substances for 
forensic analysis.
  Fentanyl exposure as little as two milligrams can lead to trouble 
breathing, dizziness and a possible lethal overdose.
  CBP (Customer and Border Protection) Officers are at an increased 
risk of exposure to fentanyl and other lethal substances through 
inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, etc. This exposure risk was 
reported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of the 
Inspector General.
  The same report cited that many CBP facilities were ill equipped to 
store fentanyl and other lethal substances.
  These facilities were also not equipped with naloxone, a substance 
critical in preventing overdose when faced with accidental exposures.
  Without proper training on how to contain and prevent these threats, 
our personnel are at risk of endangering themselves and the people they 
seek to protect.
  It is imperative to defend our law enforcement officers from dangers 
they face while protecting our communities and Nation. This bill would 
promote the safety of CBP Officers while promoting the effectiveness of 
their investigations.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 5274.

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