Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) participated last week in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing titled “The Poisoning of America: Fentanyl, its Analogues, and the Need for Permanent Class Scheduling.” The hearing brought attention to the ongoing fentanyl crisis, which continues to devastate communities across the nation.
During the hearing, Senator Britt heard from several witnesses, including Jamie Puerta, President of Victims of Illicit Drugs, and Bridgette Norring, both of whom have tragically lost loved ones to fentanyl overdoses. Their heartbreaking testimonies highlighted the personal toll of the opioid epidemic and the rapidly growing crisis involving fentanyl.
Senator Britt emphasized the scale of the fentanyl threat, citing alarming statistics from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In 2024, CBP seized approximately 22,000 pounds of fentanyl at U.S. ports of entry, enough to provide nearly 1.1 billion lethal doses, with only 5 to 10% of the drug believed to be interdicted at the southern border.
“The numbers are staggering,” Senator Britt stated. “In 2023, Alabama’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) seized 8,300 grams of fentanyl, equivalent to 8.3 million lethal doses. In FY 2024, that number increased to 12,400 grams. These growing figures represent not just statistics, but real lives lost and families devastated.”
She also discussed the broader implications for Alabama, noting the state’s increasing fentanyl-related overdose deaths between 2018 and 2022. Senator Britt expressed concern over the rising tide of fentanyl crossing the U.S. southern border, affecting her home state, as well as the nation at large.
The hearing also featured emotional testimonies from Puerta and Norring, whose stories further underscored the deadly risks associated with counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. Senator Britt thanked both for sharing their experiences, highlighting the importance of raising awareness to prevent similar tragedies.
“I’ve met too many grieving parents,” said Senator Britt, reflecting on the emotional impact of fentanyl overdose deaths. “By sharing your story, you are changing lives and working to ensure no other families have to go through this nightmare.”
Senator Britt reiterated her commitment to addressing the fentanyl epidemic, voicing support for the Halt All Lethal Trafficking (HALT) of Fentanyl Act. The bill aims to classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, a measure Senator Britt believes is essential for protecting American families.
“Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine, and just two milligrams can be fatal. We need bold actions to stop this crisis,” Britt said.
The Senator also pointed to the importance of federal-state-local cooperation in tackling fentanyl trafficking. She referenced a statement from Orange County, California, Sheriff Don Barnes, who stressed the need for a coordinated response involving federal partners, state authorities, and local law enforcement. Senator Britt agreed with Sheriff Barnes, emphasizing the need for better communication and collaboration to close gaps in enforcement.
During the hearing, Dr. Tim Westlake, an emergency physician, spoke about the effectiveness of permanent fentanyl class scheduling. He argued that the strategy would save lives without negatively affecting the criminal justice system. Senator Britt expressed strong support for such initiatives, calling for more action to combat fentanyl’s spread.
“I will do everything in my power to ensure our law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to protect the American people from this poison,” Senator Britt concluded. “We must stop the flow of fentanyl into our nation, secure our borders, and protect our communities.”
As the Senate continues to address the fentanyl crisis, Senator Britt’s advocacy for strong legislative action, such as the HALT Fentanyl Act, remains a priority. With fentanyl-related overdose deaths continuing to rise, lawmakers are under increasing pressure to take decisive action to address the crisis at both the national and local levels.
For more information on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s full hearing, including Senator Britt’s questions, visit the official Senate website.
