U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) Friday joined National Report on Newsmax to highlight her efforts to crack down on the trafficking of illicit fentanyl and hold bad actors accountable.
Congresswoman Walorski recently introduced H.R. 8194, the Civil Justice for Victims of International Fentanyl Trafficking Act, to empower victims and their loved ones to seek justice and accountability from nations that refuse to apprehend those responsible for illicit drug trafficking, such as China and Mexico. China remains the primary source of fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances, which often are trafficked across the porous southern border by criminal drug networks from Mexico.
Key Excerpts:
“This bill is a way to bring justice to families and victims since Joe Biden is doing nothing at the border.”
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“The cartels have taken this over. The countries themselves are saying they’re not responsible. And I’m saying, since our president is not being responsible, let’s empower these victims.”
“Every town is a border town because of where fentanyl is coming to. Fentanyl isn’t just coming into Texas – I’m in the middle of the country, and we are fighting this every day. We have a death toll that we shouldn’t have.”
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“It’s high time we hold these countries responsible. If our president isn’t going to, I’m going to.
Background:
Fentanyl, a drug about 100 times more potent than morphine, is a growing threat for young Hoosiers and Americans across the country. Just 2 mg of fentanyl is considered a potentially lethal dose. In 2021, 71,238 American citizens died from fentanyl overdoses, which accounts for two-thirds of the overdose deaths in the United States last year.
The Civil Justice for Victims of International Fentanyl Trafficking Act would allow victims or their families – who were either injured or killed by fentanyl that was trafficked into and within the United States – to pursue civil action against a foreign state that has refused to take action against international drug traffickers and criminal organizations. It would also allow any state attorney general to bring civil action on behalf of the residents of their state who have died or been injured by international fentanyl trafficking. China, Mexico, and India are the leading sources of illicit fentanyl that is trafficked into the United States.
