WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and Doug Jones, D-Ala., are proposing new penalties on foreign countries that turn a blind eye to drug kingpins who export deadly fentanyl to the United States.

The bipartisan Blocking Deadly Fentanyl Imports Act would make American foreign aid contingent upon a recipient country cooperating with U.S. drug enforcement efforts relating to fentanyl. Under this measure, a fentanyl-producing nation, such as China, would lose access to the Export-Import Bank and be ineligible for other U.S. taxpayer-subsidized aid if it fails to cooperate with the U.S. on narcotics control.

“The opioid and heroin epidemic has become increasingly lethal in part due to the widespread presence of illicit fentanyl,” said Toomey. “Since fentanyl can be fifty times as potent as heroin, just a tiny amount of this dangerous substance can kill a person, including first responders who may be inadvertently exposed to the drug when responding to an overdose victim or a crime scene. For the sake of our communities and the safety of law enforcement, countries like China must stop illicitly exporting fentanyl and improve their drug enforcement efforts now.”  

Jones said Alabama is in the midst of a substance abuse crisis, too.

“Fentanyl not only harms those who use it, but it also poses a serious threat to our first responders should they be exposed,” Jones said. “This legislation is another smart step to stop illicit fentanyl from being transported across our borders and into our communities.”

This measure would also require the State Department to identify in its annual report on narcotics trafficking those countries that are major producers of fentanyl. This requirement is already in place for countries that are major sources of heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

The bipartisan Blocking Deadly Fentanyl Imports Act is supported by the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Association, the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association, and the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce.