WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Representative Warren Davidson (R-OH) introduced the Stop the Cartels Act. This legislation would create common-sense reforms to reduce human trafficking, increase bilateral efforts to stop crime at the southern border and reduce illegal immigration.
 
“Currently, criminal cartels have more control of our southern border than our border patrol,” said Rep. Davidson. "These cartels are responsible for the human and drug trafficking going on in our country and endangering our communities across America.”
 
Last year, drug overdose was the number one cause of death in adults 18 to 45 years old. So far in fiscal year 2022, 8,400 pounds of fentanyl have been seized by Border Control, which is enough to kill every American seven times. In addition, overdose deaths involving fentanyl have risen by 55.6% and are the driver of the increase in drug-related deaths. 
 
“Drugs are bad, but now they are poisoned with fentanyl. Cartels not only control the market, now they control the border,” said Rep. Davidson. 
 
"No one can imagine their child dying from taking one pill, one time, but you must imagine it,” said Mark Murphy, a constituent of Ohio’s 8th District, whose 21-year-old daughter died of fentanyl poisoning. “It is happening every day. Tens of thousands of Americans are dying from fentanyl poisoning/murder on our watch every year. It cannot stand. It must stop today, or tomorrow it will be someone you love."
 
Biden’s open border policies are responsible for the chaos at our border, making every state a border state. The Biden administration’s lack of action continues to enable criminal cartels to profit billions of dollars off the suffering and death of Americans. 
 
“There is a crisis at our southern border,” said Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones. “I’ve been there. The lack of security at our border is contributing to people dying, including here in Ohio. I support Rep. Davidson’s bill and I’m glad he’s focused on the issue.” 
 
The Stop the Cartels Act will secure our southern border and protect Americans by:

• Imposing harsher sanctions on cartels and broadening sanctions to include individuals who provide cartels support
• Holding Mexico accountable for weakened intelligence sharing by reducing foreign aid and demanding cooperation with U.S. law enforcement
• Requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to release extensive monthly reports on the status and number of migrants entering the country
• Ending family detainment separation during pending immigration proceedings 
• Eliminating Sanctuary Cities and requiring DHS to enforce immigration laws
• Increasing funds for states to tackle the opioid epidemic

“Border security is national security. If you judge by the results, it seems both parties have for years worked to create, cultivate, and protect massive black markets for the benefits of the cartels,” said Rep. Davidson. “This is unacceptable. It’s time we take action to protect our communities across the country and that begins with securing our border.”

Original co-sponsors include Representatives Clay Higgins (R-LA), Tom Tiffany (R-WI), Scott Perry (R-PA), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Ronny Jackson (R-TX), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Ben Cline (R-VA), Kay Granger (R-TX), Jim Banks (R-IN), and Lauren Boebert (R-CO).