WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Josh Riley (NY-19) and U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) introduced the Stop Fentanyl Smuggling Act, bipartisan legislation to develop technologies for detecting and intercepting fentanyl at the nation’s borders and reduce its flow into correctional facilities.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Riley, directs the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratories to research, develop, and test cutting-edge technologies capable of detecting fentanyl vapor and particles. This technology would provide critical support for rapid and accurate screening at border entry points, as well as enhanced screening capabilities within prisons to combat the alarming rise of fentanyl trafficking behind bars.
“I’m introducing this bill because of the stories I’ve heard from corrections officers who’ve been poisoned by fentanyl smuggled into prisons and from families across Upstate New York who’ve lost loved ones to fentanyl overdoses,” said Rep. Riley. “This bill gives border agents and law enforcement access to state-of-the-art technology to stop the fentanyl smuggling and keep communities safe.”
During a recent hearing in the Science & Technology Committee, Rep. Riley questioned expert witnesses on ways that research and development funding can be leveraged to combat fentanyl trafficking. That questioning and work with experts directly led to the bill he is introducing with Rep. Nunn.
“Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids were responsible for 43% of all drug overdoses in Iowa in 2022,” said Rep. Nunn. “This crisis is devastating families across our communities. On National Fentanyl Awareness Day, I’m proud to lead bipartisan legislation with Rep. Riley that would direct the government to develop faster, smarter tools to help law enforcement, first responders, and border agents detect and stop fentanyl. This is about protecting our communities and saving lives.
Rep. Riley has actively addressed the fentanyl crisis through legislative action, including his vote for the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act (H.R. 27), which aims to increase penalties for fentanyl-related substances, and his sponsorship of the Marc Fischer Memorial Interdiction of Fentanyl in Postal Mail at Federal Prisons Act (H.R. 1046), which would modernize mail scanning in federal prisons to prevent the smuggling of fentanyl and protect inmates and staff. He also joined the Congressional Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery (ATR) Caucus.
The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
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