Ernst Solution to Counter Drug Cartels, Combat Fentanyl Crisis Advances

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst’s (R-Iowa) bipartisan solution to address the fentanyl crisis was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024.

Fentanyl is a leading cause of death for Americans ages 18-45, and an estimated 196 Americans are dying every single day due to fentanyl - the equivalent of the death total on 9/11 every 15 days. Additionally, 90% of fentanyl that flows into our country comes through our southern border, specifically through ports of entry. 

“The danger of fentanyl to families across our nation is too great to ignore, which is why I’ve worked throughout the year to counter this national security threat,” Senator Joni Ernst said. “Through this bipartisan work, the Pentagon will use its tools to go after the drug cartels and force Mexico to the table. As it becomes law, we can save American lives.”

The Department of Defense plays a crucial role in our nation’s counter-drug intelligence and monitoring operations, which are meant to provide federal law enforcement with actionable intelligence to further investigations. For too long, a lack of interagency cooperation has hampered our government’s counter-fentanyl efforts.

Specifically, the Ernst provision takes on drug cartels in Mexico by:

• Directing the Pentagon to develop a fentanyl-specific counter-drug strategy, including enhanced cooperation with Mexican defense officials,
• Requiring the Secretary of Defense to grow security cooperation with the Mexican military, and
• Increasing coordination efforts between the military and federal law enforcement agencies.

The NDAA will now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

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