WASHINGTON – Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) joined Reps. John Duarte (CA-13), Elissa Slotkin (MI-07), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Greg Pence (IN-06), and Gabe Vincent (NM-02) to introduce the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Reauthorization Act of 2024. This bipartisan bill seeks to crack down on fentanyl and international drug cartels by increasing coordination between various law enforcement agencies. In 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol seized 26,700 pounds of fentanyl along the southern border – a 480% increase compared to 2020.

“Fentanyl has continued to plague communities across the nation, especially here in the Central Valley,” said Congressman Valadao. “It is critical that we combat this epidemic with every tool at our disposal to save lives and keep our communities safe. I’m proud to support this bill to ensure our local, state, and federal law enforcement have the tools they need to get fentanyl and other illegal drugs off our streets.”

“The Valley, like many communities across our country, has been devastated by the fentanyl and drug epidemic in the United States. Throughout our district, I've seen the toll it's taken on families, children, and our law enforcement. That is why I am proud to introduce this bill to provide both financial support to help law enforcement get these drugs off our streets and judicial resources to put drug traffickers behind bars," said Congressman Duarte. "For Americans aged 18 to 45, fentanyl is considered the leading cause of death, and in 2023 alone, approximately 112,000 Americans died from this drug. Additionally, children and young adults are becoming more impacted. Protecting our communities from illegal drugs is not a political issue. That is why the The HIDTA Reauthorization bill is supported by both Republican and Democrats, as well as local law enforcement officials. I look forward to working to advance this bill in the House."

Background:

Administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the HITDA Program is designed to increase information and resource sharing between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to combat illegal drug trafficking in the United States. There are 33 individual HIDTAs across the United States, which collectively seized over 44 million dosage units of fentanyl and 119 kilograms of methamphetamine in 2022. The Central Valley California (CVC) HIDTA covers 15 counties, including Kings, Kern, and Tulare. The HIDTA Reauthorization Act would:

• Reauthorize the HIDTA Program at $302 million annually through Fiscal Year 2030, which is a $22 million annual increase;
• Create a new grant program within the HIDTA program that individual HIDTAs can apply for to enhance fentanyl seizure and interdiction activities;
• Require reporting on coordination between law enforcement and immigration authorities to crack down on international drug cartels; and
• Direct the U.S. Attorney General to assign not less than 16 assistant United States attorneys to individual HIDTAs, at a HIDTA’s request, to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of organizations and individuals trafficking fentanyl to ensure that these criminals are prosecuted to the full extent of the law.