South Iowa News

U.S. Representative Zach Nunn has introduced a new bill targeting Chinese entities involved in the fentanyl crisis. The Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act, co-led by Representatives Andy Barr and Greg Murphy, seeks to hold these entities accountable for their roles in producing, selling, financing, or transporting synthetic opioids.

"Fentanyl is the number one killer of Americans from my daughter’s age to my age. Something has to change," said Rep. Nunn. He emphasized the importance of securing the border as a step towards stopping the flow of fentanyl into communities but stressed that it is also crucial to address the source by holding China responsible for its role in manufacturing and supplying these drugs.

Customs and Border Protection seized over 20,000 pounds of fentanyl at the Southwest Border in fiscal year 2023 alone—enough to potentially kill over 4.6 billion people. This figure represents a significant increase compared to previous years.

Rep. Barr stated, "The Chinese Communist Party plays a prominent role in every step of the fentanyl crisis." He criticized current U.S. policies and expressed his intention to work with the Trump Administration on this issue.

Although China banned fentanyl exports to the U.S. in 2019, it remains a key source of precursor chemicals used for synthesizing illicit fentanyl smuggled into America via Mexico.

Rep. Murphy commented on this ongoing issue: "The tragic opioid epidemic in America is fueled by fentanyl shipped over from China and smuggled into our communities through Mexico."

The proposed legislation aims to amend existing laws by allowing sanctions against Chinese individuals and organizations linked to synthetic opioids or their precursors if they fail to cooperate with U.S. efforts or neglect adequate procedures.