Senator John Thune, US Senator for South Dakota | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Senator John Thune, US Senator for South Dakota | Official U.S. Senate headshot
U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune recently addressed the Senate floor, emphasizing the importance of the HALT Fentanyl Act in combating drug overdoses across the United States. He highlighted that President Trump has taken significant steps to manage the southern border, which has seen a reduction in illegal crossings. "If initial reports are accurate, approximately 8,450 illegal immigrants were apprehended trying to cross the border last month," Thune stated.
Thune expressed concern over the ongoing issue of drug overdoses, noting that more Americans die from overdoses each year than those who perished during the Vietnam War. Citing data from The New England Journal of Medicine, he said, "22 teenagers died of overdoses each week in 2022."
The senator pointed out that fentanyl is a major contributor to these tragedies and often originates from the southern border. In Sioux Falls alone, enough fentanyl was seized last year to potentially kill 2.5 million people. He emphasized the role of law enforcement and first responders in tackling this crisis and urged for continued support to remove drugs from communities.
Thune praised President Trump's efforts in reclassifying fentanyl analogues as Schedule I drugs since 2018, allowing for stricter regulation and penalties. This classification is set to expire soon unless Congress acts. The HALT Fentanyl Act aims to make this reclassification permanent.
The act has garnered bipartisan support within Congress and endorsements from state attorneys general and law enforcement officials like Attorney General Bondi. Thune noted its progression through regular order in Congress with hearings and debates reflecting strong bipartisan backing.
He concluded by expressing hope for a productive legislative process: "I hope that in the coming days, we will have a productive process to make a law that will save American lives." Thune also acknowledged Senators Cassidy, Grassley, Heinrich, Johnson, and Graham for their contributions toward advancing this legislation.
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