Rick Scott touts full passage of his sponsored ‘End Fentanyl Act’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott celebrated the full passage of the End Fentanyl Act, which requires the commissioner of U.S Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, to ensure operational field manuals, including their drug interdiction guidance, are up to date.

“For too long, the fentanyl crisis has plagued our communities and caused crushing heartbreak to those who lose loved ones to these dangerous drugs,” Scott said in the release.

Under the provisions, the CBP is required to update its policies once every three years. The briefing includes responses to illegal activity, including trafficking of drugs and humans on the border.

Furthermore, the commissioner of the CBP is required to submit its findings to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate. The report also is sent to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives detailing the policy and manual changes.

“As fentanyl continues to flow illegally into the U.S. over the southern border and kills tens of thousands of our citizens, we must do more to support our brave CBP agents, and all who are on the front lines of this battle to ensure they have every tool needed to keep these dangerous drugs out of our communities,” Scott continued.

Sens. Mike Braun, R-Ind., Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., Jackie Rosen, D-Nev., and Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., cosponsored S.206, which passed in the chamber in June 2023.

The legislation, now passed by the House, was led by Reps. Michael Guest, R-Miss., and David Trone, D-M.D.

It will now await President Joe Biden’s signature.