[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S2089]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL FENTANYL AWARENESS DAY

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, the illegal drug fentanyl kills tens of 
thousands every year. Today marks National Fentanyl Awareness Day. I 
want to thank the senior Senator from New Hampshire for her 
collaboration with me in recognizing this day and the dangers that come 
from fentanyl.
  In recent years, we have become too familiar with fentanyl's dangers. 
Hundreds of thousands of Americans have lost their lives, with the 
number totaling tens of thousands each year. That is why I worked with 
Senator Cassidy of Louisiana in getting legislation that we entitled 
the HALT Fentanyl Act passed into law and signed by the President last 
year. So now fentanyl is permanently scheduled, and law enforcement has 
more tools to remove the dangerous drugs from Americans' streets.
  I want to commend President Trump and the Department of Justice for 
using those tools. Under President Trump's leadership, fentanyl 
seizures continue to reach record highs, and countless Americans are 
safer as a result.
  I also want to thank law enforcement for their tireless efforts to 
keep Americans safe and their daily choice to protect all of us from 
dangerous drugs like fentanyl.
  Now, there is another recent problem that has come up with fentanyl 
being mixed with another dangerous drug, xylazine. As chairman of the 
Judiciary Committee, I am committing to continue to combat dangerous 
drugs mixed with fentanyl. Again, xylazine is an example.
  Under my leadership, our committee recently reported an important, as 
well as bipartisan, bill that would do just that. I will continue to 
push for passage of that legislation to stop the xylazine and fentanyl 
mixture.
  Today, though, I join many in raising awareness concerning fentanyl's 
impact and in expressing my solidarity with those affected by this 
poison.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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