Ashley Moody's Senate Floor Speech on Fentanyl Crisis and Border Security

Fentanyl Crisis and Public Health

• 💡 Fentanyl is highlighted as the deadliest drug, killing more Americans than any other and being the leading cause of death for working-age men and women.
• ⚠️ The drug is also causing increasing numbers of deaths among infants and children.
• 🎯 Florida has actively combatted the opioid epidemic, first with a pill mill crisis and then with a surge of fentanyl, leading to a 10% drop in drug-related deaths in the state.
• 💊 Providing life-saving medications like Naloxone to first responders and ensuring access to addiction help are crucial.

Border Security and Enforcement

• 🚧 The speech criticizes the Biden administration's border policies, stating that a "wide open border" allowed drug cartels to flood the country with fentanyl.
• ⚖️ Florida took legal action against the Biden administration for stopping deportations of those committing felonies and for paroling unvetted individuals into the nation.
• 🚔 Florida law enforcement was deployed to the border to help slow the flow of drugs, with increased interdiction efforts.

Policy Recommendations and Trump Administration

• 🚫 Calls for cartels to be labeled foreign terrorist organizations were ignored by President Biden but acted upon by President Trump on day one.
• 📈 The Halt Fentanyl Act is emphasized as critical legislation to provide federal agents and prosecutors with tools to hold drug traffickers accountable.
• 🇺🇸 The speech contrasts the Biden administration's policies with President Trump's, stating that Trump's actions, including closing the border on day one, led to a 93% drop in illegal crossings.
• ✅ The speaker expresses pride in the Senate passing the Halt Fentanyl Act and urges the House to pass it to get it to the President's desk.
• 🗣️ The speech concludes by emphasizing the opportunity in Washington to fight the crisis and make communities and families safe.