WASHINGTON – Tuesday night, the END FENTANYL ACT was signed into law.
This bill, introduced by Senator Mike Braun, Senator Rick Scott, and Senators Jacky Rosen, Mark Kelly, and Maggie Hassan, will require the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to update its policies at least once every three years to ensure operational field manuals, including their drug interdiction guidance, are up to date.
This legislation builds on the 2019 GAO report, “Land Ports of Entry: CBP Should Update Policies and Enhance Analysis of Inspections,” which found that drug interdiction guidance has not been updated in 20 years.
“Our communities are under attack from deadly fentanyl. The END FENTANYL Act makes sure Customs and Border Protection policies are up to date to best stop fentanyl from entering our country and killing Americans,” said Senator Mike Braun.
“For nearly two years, I have been fighting to make my bipartisan END FENTANYL Act law. I am proud that Congress finally passed and the president signed into law this important legislation to combat America’s lethal opioid epidemic better. President Biden must do more to secure the border and stop the deadly fentanyl that continues to flow illegally into the U.S. over the southern border and kills tens of thousands of our citizens,” said Senator Rick Scott. “I look forward to seeing the Biden administration immediately implement this law and give America’s brave CBP agents the tools needed to keep these dangerous drugs out of our communities. While nothing can heal the crushing heartbreak felt by the hundreds of thousands of families torn apart by fentanyl and who have lost loved ones, the END FENTANYL Act will make a difference in our fight to end the suffering. I am grateful for the strong support of Senators Jacky Rosen, Mike Braun, Maggie Hassan, and Mark Kelly, Representatives Michael Guest and David Trone, who helped get this done.”
The END FENTANYL Act:
- Requires the Commissioner of CBP to review and update the Office of Field Operations’ policies and handbooks, as necessary, and at least once every three years to respond to illegal activity, such as the trafficking of drugs and humans, along the border.
- Requires the Commissioner of CBP to submit a report to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives that summarizes the policy and manual changes every three years.
