[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 16, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PROTECTING ALL CHILDREN, BORN AND UNBORN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this week marks 51 years 
since the Roe v. Wade decision was issued by the U.S. Supreme Court. 
Since that time, Americans have worked tirelessly to see that decision 
overturned.
  As a doctor, I swore an oath to first do no harm and to protect the 
sanctity of human life. Here in Congress, we also swore an oath to 
protect our country and our citizens. That means that we must stand for 
human life.
  This week, we will vote on legislation to block a proposed Biden 
administration rule that would prohibit States from giving funding to 
pregnancy resource centers that support the lives of both mothers and 
their unborn children.
  At 9 weeks of age, a baby has begun to form facial features, 
fingernails, and toes. At 20 weeks, a baby can hear their mother's 
voice. It is clear that these are children.
  In Congress, it is our duty to protect the lives of the vulnerable. 
This week, let's join together and fight to protect all children, both 
born and unborn.


         Fentanyl Continues to Permeate Into The United States

  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this week the Pennsylvania 
State Police released a report outlining the amount of illegal drugs 
that have been seized in Pennsylvania during arrests in 2023. The facts 
of this report are shocking, showing that over 240 pounds of fentanyl 
were seized in the past year compared to 35 pounds of heroin.
  These statistics represent a dangerous new reality for our 
communities, that fentanyl and its analogues, which can be fatal in 
incredibly small doses, are now readily accessible and widespread 
throughout the State of Pennsylvania.
  Right now, lives are at stake as this poison continues to permeate 
into the United States. As I travel throughout central and southwestern 
Pennsylvania, I have heard from coroners who tell me that these drugs 
are very easy to get and very fast to kill.
  It is time for the Senate to immediately take up the HALT Fentanyl 
Act and permanently classify these drugs as schedule I narcotics and 
create strict penalties for the cartels and for the dealers who traffic 
them.
  Mr. Speaker, we cannot afford to stand by as our constituents are 
killed by fentanyl poisonings.

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