Chavez-DeRemer bill aims to ‘Stop Fentanyl at the Border,’ boost funding for border agents, strengthen laws

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – On Thursday, Reps. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), and Eric Sorensen (IL-17) introduced the bipartisan Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act. This bill would increase funding for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), helping provide them with additional resources that are needed to combat the fentanyl crisis.

“Oregon had the highest rate of fentanyl overdose deaths in the nation last year, and Portland police have already seized more fentanyl-laced pills and powder this year than in all of 2023 combined. During my recent meetings with local law enforcement, they acknowledged that our southern border is a first line of defense against these dangerous and deadly substances,” Chavez-DeRemer said. “I’m honored to co-lead the bipartisan and bicameral Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act to ensure border agents have the funding needed to staff up and deploy more detection technology to protect our communities.”

“It’s time to stop talking about detaining fentanyl at our ports of entry and time to start doing something about it. Millions of Americans and their families are begging Congress for relief and now is the time to act. I’m proud to work with my Republican and Democratic colleagues, Congresswoman Chavez-DeRemer and Congressman Sorensen, on this common-sense solution to help end this national crisis,” said Vasquez. “I’ve met with countless Customs and Border Patrol agents and have seen detection investments in inspection technology work right here on our New Mexico borders. Our bill provides funding to support more officers and technology to stop the deadly influx of this drug into our communities. The Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act should be brought up for a House vote as expediently as possible.”

“I have said from day one that we need to secure our southern border. And it is critical that we stop the flow of illegal drugs like fentanyl that are hurting American families. When I visited the southern border on a bipartisan trip in April, I heard directly from our border patrol officers about their lack of tools to stop the illicit drugs from coming across. That is unacceptable; we must provide our border security agents with tools, resources, and innovative technologies to secure our border. That's why I am proud to join Congressman Vasquez and Congresswoman Chavez-DeRemer to introduce our bipartisan Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act,” said Sorensen. “I have neighbors back home in Illinois who have an empty seat at their dinner table because they lost a loved one to this deadly drug. I remain committed to making sure our law enforcement officers at the southern border have what they need to do their jobs so we can make our communities safer for Illinois families.”

Specifically, the Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act would:

• Improve pay for CBP personnel and provide funds to hire more agents;
• Enhance fentanyl interdiction by providing funds for updated inspection technology;
• Support existing efforts across the country to combat fentanyl; and
• Strengthen current laws to increase penalties on drug traffickers.

Earlier this year, a bill Chavez-DeRemer helped lead – the FEND Off Fentanyl Act – was signed into law. It officially declared a national fentanyl emergency, opening up federal resources to help states like Oregon address this crisis. She has also successfully worked to pass the HALT Fentanyl Act and the END FENTANYL Act.