WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Lesko’s (AZ-08) Securing the Border for Public Health Act passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This legislation utilizes Title 42 Public Health Authorities to stop the import of certain controlled substances.

Watch her full remarks here.

“I am proud that my legislation to use Title 42 to stop the flow of illicit drugs has passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee,” said Congresswoman Lesko. “Our nation is facing a deadly drug crisis, while the Biden Administration’s open border agenda has incentivized criminal cartels to smuggle drugs over the southern border. This bill is critical in stopping the flow of these deadly drugs into our communities to save lives. I am grateful to my colleagues for their support, and I hope this bill will be brought to the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for a vote soon.”

Under current law, Title 42 Public Health Authorities can only be exercised to limit the spread of a communicable disease. This legislation expands the application of Title 42 to include stopping the import of illicit drugs. This change will allow the Biden Administration to extend the current Title 42 Public Health Authority to address the ongoing threat of illicit drugs to American communities.

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