East Idaho Times

U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, along with U.S. Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, have called on the Biden-Harris administration to address what they describe as a failure to prevent the influx of fentanyl into Idaho via the southern border. They attribute this issue to what they term as "lax border policies" by the current administration, which they claim have resulted in unprecedented amounts of fentanyl entering the United States.

The lawmakers stated that fentanyl overdoses are now the leading cause of death for individuals aged 18 to 45, with 197 deaths recorded in Idaho last year alone. They criticized the administration's approach to border security, asserting that it has worsened the situation at the border and hindered efforts to secure it.

"It is apparent that the Biden-Harris administration’s open-border policies have done nothing but imperil national security and endanger law-abiding citizens," wrote Risch, Crapo, Simpson, and Fulcher. "Since day one, this administration exacerbated the crisis at our border and undermined the efforts of those trying to secure it."

They further accused the administration of being complicit in allowing drug cartels to exploit vulnerabilities at the southern border. "By allowing drug cartels to exploit our southern border, the Biden-Harris administration is complicit in the flow of fentanyl into our country. Idaho families are paying the price," they added.

Senator Risch serves on the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control and has proposed several legislative measures aimed at curbing drug trafficking and reducing fentanyl distribution within U.S. borders.

The full letter from these lawmakers can be accessed for more detailed information on their stance.