Floor SpeechBipartisan2026-04-29

NATIONAL FENTANYL AWARENESS DAY

EnvironmentForeign PolicyTradeCrime & Justice

Context

On 2026-04-29, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) delivered a floor speech titled "NATIONAL FENTANYL AWARENESS DAY" in the Senate. The speech addressed the environment and also covered foreign policy, trade policy. It referenced legislation: S2089.

Full Text

NATIONAL FENTANYL AWARENESS DAY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2089] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] NATIONAL FENTANYL AWARENESS DAY Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, the illegal drug fentanyl kills tens of thousands every year. Today marks National Fentanyl Awareness Day. I want to thank the senior Senator from New Hampshire for her collaboration with me in recognizing this day and the dangers that come from fentanyl. In recent years, we have become too familiar with fentanyl's dangers. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have lost their lives, with the number totaling tens of thousands each year. That is why I worked with Senator Cassidy of Louisiana in getting legislation that we entitled the HALT Fentanyl Act passed into law and signed by the President last year. So now fentanyl is permanently scheduled, and law enforcement has more tools to remove the dangerous drugs from Americans' streets. I want to commend President Trump and the Department of Justice for using those tools. Under President Trump's leadership, fentanyl seizures continue to reach record highs, and countless Americans are safer as a result. I also want to thank law enforcement for their tireless efforts to keep Americans safe and their daily choice to protect all of us from dangerous drugs like fentanyl. Now, there is another recent problem that has come up with fentanyl being mixed with another dangerous drug, xylazine. As chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I am committing to continue to combat dangerous drugs mixed with fentanyl. Again, xylazine is an example. Under my leadership, our committee recently reported an important, as well as bipartisan, bill that would do just that. I will continue to push for passage of that legislation to stop the xylazine and fentanyl mixture. Today, though, I join many in raising awareness concerning fentanyl's impact and in expressing my solidarity with those affected by this poison. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

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NATIONAL FENTANYL AWARENESS DAY Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2089] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] NATIONAL FENTANYL AWARENESS DAY Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, the illegal drug fentanyl kills tens of thousands every year. Today marks National Fentanyl Awareness Day. I want to thank the senior Senator from New Hampshire for her collaboration with me in recognizing this day and the dangers that come from fentanyl. In recent years, we have become too familiar with fentanyl's dangers. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have lost their lives, with the number totaling tens of thousands each year. That is why I worked with Senator Cassidy of Louisiana in getting legislation that we entitled the HALT Fentanyl Act passed into law and signed by the President last year. So now fentanyl is permanently scheduled, and law enforcement has more tools to remove the dangerous drugs from Americans' streets. I want to commend President Trump and the Department of Justice for using those tools. Under President Trump's leadership, fentanyl seizures continue to reach record highs, and countless Americans are safer as a result. I also want to thank law enforcement for their tireless efforts to keep Americans safe and their daily choice to protect all of us from dangerous drugs like fentanyl. Now, there is another recent problem that has come up with fentanyl being mixed with another dangerous drug, xylazine. As chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I am committing to continue to combat dangerous drugs mixed with fentanyl. Again, xylazine is an example. Under my leadership, our committee recently reported an important, as well as bipartisan, bill that would do just that. I will continue to push for passage of that legislation to stop the xylazine and fentanyl mixture. Today, though, I join many in raising awareness concerning fentanyl's impact and in expressing my solidarity with those affected by this poison. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________