[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 89 (Thursday, May 25, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HALT ALL LETHAL TRAFFICKING OF FENTANYL ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2023

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 467, the HALT 
Fentanyl Act.
  Mr. Chair, this bill is not a solution to the proliferation of 
Fentanyl Related Substances (FRS) in America. We need legislation that 
will actually save lives while stopping illicit drug sales.
  There are lifesaving, bipartisan bills like the SAFE Act, introduced 
by my colleague, Representative Pappas, that work with the medical 
community to protect medically beneficial FRSs. The SAFE Act also 
prevents harmful mandatory minimum sentences for people who may not 
even know they have a Fentanyl Related Substance in their possession. 
These are necessary guardrails that Republicans' HALT Fentanyl Act 
fails to include.
  Congress should not be playing doctor, but instead pass a 
comprehensive bill that reflects the input of medical professionals, 
addiction specialists, researchers, and law enforcement. Republicans 
are trying to present a ``quick and easy'' solution to a complex 
problem.

                          ____________________