SW New Mexico News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On May 26, 2023, Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) introduced H.R. 3658, the Joint Task Force to Combat Opioid Trafficking Act. This bipartisan piece of legislation will authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create a Joint Task Force (JTF) which will improve border security operations to detect, interdict, disrupt and prevent narcotics like fentanyl from being smuggled into the United States.

“I’m proud to be working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find common-sense solutions to the fentanyl crisis facing our country,” said Rep. Vasquez. “As someone who was raised in and represents a border district, I know far too well the dangerous implications this drug has on the health and safety of our communities. As elected officials, our primary responsibility is to protect the well-being of our constituents, and I believe this bill takes concrete steps to prevent dangerous narcotics like fentanyl from ever reaching our streets.”

“As an EMT and former federal drug prosecutor, I have witnessed firsthand the devastating effect that opioids, including fentanyl, have on our communities,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “I’m proud to partner with Congressman Vasquez on this bipartisan effort to crack down on the dangerous opioids that are smuggled onto our streets.”

This bill, co-led by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-P.A.), Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-P.A.) and Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-A.Z.), is the latest step by Rep. Vasquez to lead bipartisan efforts to address the growing problem of fentanyl in American communities.

Rep. Vasquez has met with public safety officials and law enforcement agencies along the border and throughout the state, who have consistently echoed their shared concerns over the prevalence of fentanyl in New Mexico. Rep. Vasquez takes these concerns seriously and is committed to finding implementable solutions to address this issue.

Background

The Joint Task Force to Combat Opioid Trafficking Act would provide much-needed authorization to DHS to stand up a JTF to:

•    Enhance border security operations to detect, interdict, disrupt, and prevent illicit narcotics and synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, from being smuggled into the United States.

•    Create a reporting requirement for DHS to report back to Congress whether or not it will establish a task force, and if so, periodically report back on what resources are needed to effectively detect and prevent narcotics from entering the United States.

•    Authorize DHS JTF to cooperate with, and receive assistance from, groups outside of DHS to accomplish their mission. These groups can include private sector organizations, as well as federal, state, local, tribal and/or international entities. 

Original source can be found here.