Tester and Daines Deliver Targeted National Security Package to Crack Down on Fentanyl, Counter Foreign Adversaries
Senators' bipartisan FEND Off Fentanyl Act included in national security package, now heads to the President’s desk; Targeted package will counter China, Iran, and Russia, support American allies
By Denise Rivette
U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines each announced today that they voted for a targeted national security package to crack down on the fentanyl epidemic and counter America’s foreign adversaries including China, Russia, and Iran. The senators’ Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act was included in the final package that now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The package passed the Senate with a vote of 79 to 18.
“America’s foreign adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran want nothing more than to take our place as the world’s leading military and economic superpower – and today I voted with Republicans and Democrats to make sure that won’t happen,” said Tester. “This targeted, bipartisan package will keep Montanans safe at home by cracking down on the fentanyl epidemic that is devastating our communities, and it will strengthen our security abroad by countering our adversaries and standing firm with our allies. I urge the President to quickly sign this package into law to help get poisonous fentanyl off our streets and keep Montana and our country safe.”
Tester and Daines have led the charge to stop the deadly flow of fentanyl that is wreaking havoc on Montana and secure the southern border. They have fought for months to get their bipartisan FEND Off Fentanyl Act across the finish line, which would impose economic sanctions on those engaged in the international trafficking of illicit fentanyl, precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl, or other related opioids, and declare international trafficking of fentanyl as a national emergency.
Additionally, Tester successfully called on Congress to fully fund technology used to scan for fentanyl and other contraband at the southern border as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Tester voted for the previous appropriations bill in February that was sent to the House and Daines voted against it citing its lack of southern border protections.
U.S. Senator Steve Daines issued the following statement today after his vote to support the emergency national security supplemental spending bill:
"As Presidents Reagan and Trump showed, peace is best achieved through strength. Weakness in the face of ruthless enemies is a surefire way to start new wars that involve American troops. This bill provides critical lethal aid to Israel as they defend themselves from terrorists and with antisemitism raging on our college campuses, sends a strong message to those who threaten Jews and chant ‘death to America’ that America stands with Israel. It also forces TikTok to sever its ties with the Chinese Communist Party, imposes stringent sanctions on Iran and Russia and requires President Biden to articulate a winning strategy in Ukraine.
"My biggest frustration with this bill is that it did not force Joe Biden to address the glaring national security threat coming from our southern border. Terrorists are crossing into our country every single day but, unfortunately, the Biden Administration and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle refuse to support policies that would meaningfully address this threat."
Both senators are working hard to represent Montanans. You can let them know your thoughts by contacting Senator Daines HERE and Senator Tester HERE.