WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Chairman John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi announced the formation of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party's Policy Working Group focused on combating the Chinese Communist Party's role in the fentanyl epidemic.
The Fentanyl Policy Working Group will be led by Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA). Reps. Neal Dunn (R-FL), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), and Michelle Steel (R-CA) will also serve on the Fentanyl Policy Working Group.
The Policy Working Group (PWG) will be charged with raising awareness of the CCP's role in the fentanyl crisis through Committee events and producing legislation to combat the threat. Its work will start immediately and build upon the Select Committee's April report which revealed, among other things, that the Chinese Communist Party is subsidizing the export of deadly fentanyl into the United States.
“Earlier this spring, the Select Committee uncovered new evidence showing how the Chinese Communist Party directly fuels America’s fentanyl crisis. China has programs in place to reward companies with subsidies for exporting fentanyl and other drugs illegal under Chinese law to the United States. It is now abundantly clear that the CCP is not just turning a blind eye to the fentanyl crisis; it is causing it. That is why I am establishing a bipartisan Select Committee fentanyl working group to determine what must be done to seek justice for hundreds of thousands of victims and hold the CCP responsible for funneling this poison into American communities. Congressmen Newhouse and Auchincloss bring valuable experience on this issue, and I am thankful for their leadership of our new working group,” said Chairman Moolenaar.
"Combating our nation’s synthetic opioid crisis must be a top priority not only for Members of our Select Committee but for every Member of Congress. Our new working group will double down on our efforts to stop the flow of fentanyl and its precursors into the U.S. from the PRC while saving American lives. It’s time to get to work," said Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi.
“Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for people ages 18-45 in the United States, and we now know that the Chinese Communist Party is behind that crisis,” said Rep. Newhouse. “From funding manufacturing and exporting illicit fentanyl precursor chemicals to holding ownership interest in companies tied to drug trafficking, the CCP is not only an active participant in drug trade—they are directly incentivizing it. While they continue economically enriching themselves at Americans' expense, it is imperative that we send a clear message: it stops here. I applaud Chairman Moolenaar for his leadership on this issue and look forward to leading my fellow working group members in cracking down on their influence.”
“The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Mexican drug cartels are poisoning Americans through fentanyl exports. Families are devastated, first responders demoralized. The U.S. government must respond forcefully at every link of supply chain, beginning with China. The CCP has been subsidizing and facilitating export of precursors while stiff-arming American requests for law enforcement; this must end," said Rep Auchincloss.
Specifically, PWG will work to:
Codify, strengthen sanctions on entities involved in fentanyl trade.
Enact trade customs enforcement measures restricting trafficking.
Close regulatory gaps exploited by PRC money launderers traders.
