CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN CONTINUES FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING, DEMANDS SPEAKER JOHNSON BRING HALT FENTANYL ACT TO HOUSE FLOOR FOR IMMEDIATE VOTE
Congressman Pat Ryan Continues Fight Against Drug Trafficking, Demands Speaker Johnson Bring HALT Fentanyl Act to House Floor for Immediate Vote
The HALT Fentanyl Act passed the House last Congress but never made it through the Senate; the bill would permanently categorize fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances as schedule I controlled substances
Congressman Ryan helped pass the bill last year, and is the only Democrat to cosponsor the bill this Congress
KINGSTON, NY – Today Congressman Pat Ryan continued his fight against drug trafficking, demanding Speaker Mike Johnson bring the HALT Fentanyl Act to the House floor for an immediate vote. The legislation, which would ensure that law enforcement entities have the tools they need to keep fentanyl off the streets, passed the House with Ryan’s support in the last Congress. Rep. Ryan is the only Democratic co-sponsor on the legislation.
“Fentanyl is ripping apart families and communities across the country,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “I’ve seen it here in the Hudson Valley, and I know my colleagues have seen it at home in their districts. I’m the first Democrat to co-sponsor this bill because we need to take immediate action to get fentanyl off our streets and hold drug traffickers fully accountable. For my children and for yours, Speaker Johnson needs to bring this vital legislation to the House floor immediately. ”
“Congressman Ryan is the perfect partner for local law enforcement in the fight against drug trafficking – I’m proud to join him in pushing for this much-needed legislation,” said Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa. “From securing federal grants for ORACLE to always standing by our officers in blue, we’re lucky to have him fighting for Ulster County in Washington.”
“My top priority is making sure our law enforcement officers have the resources they need to keep our communities safe, and I know Congressman Ryan has that exact same mission,” said Dutchess County Sheriff Kirk Imperati. “Thank you, Congressman Ryan, for demanding a vote on this crucial legislation that will protect our cops, our kids, and our communities.”
“We are fighting a drug epidemic in our communities,” said Orange County Sheriff Paul Arteta. “Fentanyl is flooding our streets, and this recent action by Congressman Ryan will help give law enforcement the tools we need to keep people safe.”
Congressman Pat Ryan has delivered major investments to combat drug trafficking and use in Hudson Valley communities, including $400,000 for the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office crisis intervention ORACLE team that tackles drug trafficking, addiction, and the overdose epidemic in Ulster County. Ryan has repeatedly called for increased funding to address drug trafficking and use, in particular the opioid and fentanyl crisis currently gripping Hudson Valley communities. Congressman Ryan has been adamant that border security legislation must include funding to combat the trafficking of illicit fentanyl across the border, including demanding that $800 million be included in H.R. 2, the border bill passed by House Republicans that failed to include any mention of illicit fentanyl. He cosponsors the Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act and the END FENTANYL Act, and pushed for a vote on the Fend Off Fentanyl Act last Congress. Congressman Ryan introduced the Public Safety and Community Support Act to use Byrne-JAG funds for deflection and pre-arrest diversion programs to help local law enforcement combat drug addiction.
If passed, the HALT Fentanyl Act would build on Congressman Ryan’s record by increasing law enforcement’s ability to track and prosecute fentanyl related offences, and protecting American communities from the flow of the deadly illicit substance. It also safeguards the ability to prosecute any fentanyl-related substances, so that suppliers cannot get off on a loophole of slightly altering the formula.
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