A group of lawmakers, including one representing the Galesburg area, have introduced a measure in Congress to try and stop illegal drugs coming into the U.S. from the Southern border.
The “Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act” reportedly has bipartisan support. If approved, the measure would allow for the hiring of more border agents, and give them technology needed to scan cars and cargo when stopped at the border.
17th District U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-East Moline), with reporters on Zoom Thursday, says it’s desperately needed, which he says border agents told him about when he visited in April.
“I was able to talk with them, and hear about their stresses,” said Sorensen. “Quite frankly, the lack of tools being given to them to stop the drugs from crossing our ports of entry. As a member of Congress, as an American, that’s unacceptable.”
Sorensen — who claims he’s always wanted a secure southern border — says the politics behind border security needs to stop, and hopes it won’t be a problem in passing this measure. He minced no words when asked by WGIL during a news conference if he expected there to be any sort of opposition to the bill despite it having bipartisan support.
“Screw the politics. We have to do something here,” said Sorensen. “Screw the fact that we’re in 2024, an election year, where people can’t stop talking about one thing. Yet, there are people who are addicted to these drugs. There are more moms and dads that don’t have kids at their table,” Sorensen says, because they’re dying from fentanyl-related overdoses.
He claims 240,000 pounds of drugs came through the southwestern border last year — including 1.1 billion doses of fentanyl.
The other lawmakers who introduced the bill are U.S. Reps. Gabe Vasquez (D-New Mexico), and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Oregon).