Peace Garden News

Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak addressed the House Floor in Washington, D.C., advocating for the passage of H.R. 27, known as the HALT Fentanyl Act. The legislation aims to equip law enforcement with necessary tools to tackle illicit fentanyl trafficking and enhance community safety in North Dakota.

Fedorchak emphasized the impact of fentanyl on her state, noting that even tight-knit communities are not immune to its effects. "In North Dakota, my state, we’re known for our tight-knit communities where people look out for one another," she stated. Despite this, she highlighted the alarming increase in fentanyl smuggling: "North Dakota law enforcement say record amounts of fentanyl are pouring into our state."

The congresswoman expressed concern over traffickers targeting young individuals. "What’s most disturbing is how traffickers are targeting our kids. They're poisoning our children," she remarked.

Fedorchak urged her colleagues to support the act, which seeks to provide law enforcement with permanent tools to combat drug trafficking and penalize those manipulating drug formulas to evade legal consequences. She linked the issue to broader national policies, saying, "The American people have trusted us to fix the mess created by the Biden’s administration’s open border policies."

She concluded by framing the legislation as a non-partisan effort crucial for addressing a national crisis: "This is not a partisan issue. It’s an important part of the solution. It’s the right thing to do."