Pa. Senator Toomey helps introduce Fentanyl sanctions bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In light of the large number of overdose deaths from fentanyl, U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) Thursday introduced the Fentanyl Sanctions Act.

The bill aims to apply pressure on the Chinese government to control all types of fentanyl and provide the U.S. with more tools and resources to go after illicit traffickers in China, Mexico, and other countries.

Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) joined Senator Toomey and Leader Schumer in introducing the legislation. 

The legislation:

• Imposes direct sanctions on drug manufacturers in China that knowingly provide synthetic opioids to traffickers and transnational criminal organizations like those in Mexico known to be mixing fentanyl with other drugs and sending them into the U.S. The bill also applies sanctions on financial institutions that assist such entities.
• Urges the president to commence diplomatic efforts with U.S. partners to establish multilateral sanctions against foreign opioid traffickers.
• Establishes a Commission on Synthetic Opioid Trafficking to monitor U.S. efforts and report on how to more effectively combat the flow of synthetic opioids from China, Mexico, and elsewhere. 

“Illicit fentanyl has inflicted severe suffering on Pennsylvania families and communities,” said Senator Toomey. 

“I am committed to holding responsible those who export this poison to our country. Congressional attention coupled with pressure from the Trump administration recently led to China finally subjecting all fentanyl-like chemicals to its drug laws. This bipartisan measure provides Congress with another tool to fight the heroin and fentanyl epidemic.”