Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Senator Jeanne Shaheen are leading a bipartisan resolution recognizing April 29 as National Fentanyl Awareness Day.
The resolution aims to draw attention to the dangers of fentanyl, which has caused tens of thousands of deaths each year. Grassley spoke about the issue in a Senate floor speech, thanking Shaheen for her collaboration and highlighting the need for increased awareness. “I want to thank the senior senator from New Hampshire for her collaboration with me in recognizing this day and the dangers that come from fentanyl,” Grassley said.
Grassley also discussed legislative efforts addressing fentanyl, referencing his work with Senator Cassidy on the HALT Fentanyl Act, which was signed into law last year. “So now, fentanyl is permanently scheduled, and law enforcement has more tools to remove the dangerous drugs from America’s streets,” he said. He commended President Trump and federal agencies: “I want to commend President Trump and the Department of Justice for using those tools.” Grassley added that under Trump’s leadership, seizures of fentanyl have reached record highs.
He expressed gratitude toward law enforcement: “I also want to thank law enforcement for their tireless efforts to keep Americans safe and their daily choice to protect all of us from dangerous drugs like fentanyl.” Addressing new challenges posed by mixtures such as fentanyl combined with xylazine, Grassley said he remains committed as chairman of the Judiciary Committee: “Under my leadership, our committee recently reported an important, as well as bipartisan, bill that would do just that. I’ll continue to push [for] passage of that legislation to stop xylazine and fentanyl mixture.”
According to the official website, Grassley has been married since 1954 with five children; he earned degrees in political science from the University of Northern Iowa; assists Iowans with matters involving federal agencies; held a position in Iowa’s state legislature while bringing factory work experience; served in Iowa’s state legislature from 1958 through 1974; and is one of only two farmers currently serving in the Senate who actively raises corn and soybeans in Butler County.
Grassley’s remarks concluded by joining others nationwide in raising awareness about fentanyl’s impact: “Today, though, I join many in raising awareness [for] concerns of fentanyl’s impact and expressing my solidarity with those affected by this poison.”
