U.S. House Passes Rep. McDowell’s Bill Strengthening Coast Guard Drug Enforcement and Overdose Response

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives tonight passed Congressman Addison McDowell’s (R-NC) bill, H.R. 2351, to strengthen the Coast Guard’s authority to combat drug trafficking and respond to fentanyl overdoses. This is Congressman McDowell's first bill to pass the House floor.

“Our Coast Guard is taking the fight straight to fentanyl traffickers off our coast, stopping dangerous drugs before they poison our communities. This bill gives them the muscle and authority they need to secure our maritime borders, prosecute traffickers hiding behind unmanned vessels, and save lives with immediate access to naloxone.” Congressman McDowell said. “Our service members stand up for us every day; it’s our job to have their back. I’m proud that my first bill to pass the House does exactly that.”

H.R. 2351 strengthens the Coast Guard’s ability to fight drug trafficking by expanding its authority to prosecute cases involving unmanned vessels or drugs smuggled aboard without the crew’s knowledge. It also requires naloxone and other lifesaving overdose treatments to be available wherever Coast Guard personnel serve—because when an overdose happens, there’s no time to wait. This bill gives our Coast Guard the tools they need to save lives and stop traffickers.

Having passed the House of Representatives, H.R. 2351 now proceeds to the U.S. Senate for further consideration.

Read the full bill text here.

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