Miller-Meeks & Lesko Introduce Bill to Expand Title 42 to Tackle Drug Crisis
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, April 26th, 2022, Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (IA-02) and Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) introduced the Securing the Border for Public Health Act. This bill would allow for the implementation of Title 42 Public Health Authorities to stop the import of certain controlled substances including narcotics, opiates, opium derivatives, and fentanyl-related substances.
“Time after time the Biden Administration has shown that they are incapable of securing the U.S.-Mexico border. There are record numbers of illicit narcotics, such as fentanyl and opioids, crossing the border every day,” said Miller-Meeks. “The Biden Administration must forward a thoughtful and detailed plan to protect our border, support law enforcement, and keep our communities safe. Until that time, Title 42 should remain in place.”
“Our nation is facing a drug crisis and it starts at our southern border,” said Lesko. “This bill will allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enact Title 42 Public Health Authorities to stop the import of controlled substances in addition to its current implementation for preventing the spread of communicable diseases. It is our hope that the Biden Administration will use this change to extend Title 42 to tackle this drug crisis.”
To read the full text of this legislation, click HERE.
Background:
On April 7th, Miller-Meeks slammed the Biden Administration for announcing they would end the enforcement of Title 42 at the U.S.-Mexico border.
On April 8, Miller-Meeks led over 60 House Republicans in a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas seeking answers on the Administration’s plans to secure the border and support Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after the Title 42 policy is lifted.
On April 11, Miller-Meeks signed on as a cosponsor of H.R. 7458, the Public Health and Border Security Act. This bipartisan and bicameral bill would prevent President Biden from lifting existing Title 42 immigration restrictions without a plan in place from the DHS and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address the expected surge of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Title 42 is a provision included in the Public Health Service Act of 1944 that permits federal health officials to prohibit entry of individuals and goods from foreign countries when there is a communicable disease present. The idea had existed in varying forms since 1893 until finally being codified into law.
Under current law, Title 42 Public Health Authorities can only be exercised to limit the spread of a communicable disease, such as COVID-19. The Securing the Border for Public Health Act expands the application of Title 42 to include stopping the import of illicit drugs. This change will allow the Biden Administration to extend the current Title 42 Public Health Authority to address the ongoing threat of illicit drugs to American communities.
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