Tester Delivers Targeted National Security Package to Crack Down on Fentanyl, Counter Foreign Adversaries

Senator’s bipartisan FEND Off Fentanyl Act included in national security package, now heads to the President’s desk;

Targeted package will counter China, Iran, and Russia, support American allies

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today voted for a targeted national security package to crack down on the fentanyl epidemic and counter America’s foreign adversaries including China, Russia, and Iran. Tester’s Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act was included in the final package that now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“America’s foreign adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran want nothing more than to take our place as the world’s leading military and economic superpower – and today I voted with Republicans and Democrats to make sure that won’t happen,” said Tester. “This targeted, bipartisan package will keep Montanans safe at home by cracking down on the fentanyl epidemic that is devastating our communities, and it will strengthen our security abroad by countering our adversaries and standing firm with our allies. I urge the President to quickly sign this package into law to help get poisonous fentanyl off our streets and keep Montana and our country safe.”

Tester has led the charge to stop the deadly flow of fentanyl that is wreaking havoc on Montana and secure the southern border. Tester has fought for months to get his bipartisan FEND Off Fentanyl Act across the finish line, which would impose economic sanctions on those engaged in the international trafficking of illicit fentanyl, precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl, or other related opioids, and declare international trafficking of fentanyl as a national emergency. Additionally, Tester successfully called on Congress to fully fund technology used to scan for fentanyl and other contraband at the southern border as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Tester voted to secure the southern border in February – but politicians in Congress blocked the bipartisan border security legislation.

As the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, Tester is responsible for crafting the annual Defense Appropriations bill and determines funding for the Department of Defense (DOD). Tester’s FY24 defense budget prepares our military against our adversaries and ensures America retains its competitive edge over China while using made-in-Montana cutting-edge solutions and next-generation research.

Tester has consistently worked to combat Chinese aggression and protect America’s place as the world’s leading economic power. Tester has led oversight efforts around the Chinese spy balloon, and he called on President Biden to make clear to China’s President Xi Jinping during their meeting in November that the U.S. will not tolerate Chinese aggression that harms Americans.