Lawmakers blame China for fentanyl crisis

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are working to crack down on fentanyl coming to the U.S.

They say China played a role in fueling fatal overdoses, like the one that took the life of April Babcock’s 25-year-old son Austen, who died from fentanyl in 2019.

“He loved skiing. He loved riding his four-wheeler,” Babcock said.

She now runs the nonprofit “Lost Voices of Fentanyl,” which connects those who lost loved ones to the synthetic opioid.

“I mean, our kids are dead, so really, we’re not fighting for them. We’re fighting for the living to live,” Babcock said.

Babcock testified before Congress during a hearing about China’s role in fueling fentanyl overdoses.

“It’s out of control. We’re deliberately being poisoned by China,” Babcock said.

At that hearing, lawmakers on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, released a report finding that nearly all parts used to make fentanyl are coming from China.

Now, a new group is trying to crack down on that.

“They’re to blame. China is directly to blame for this,” California Congressman Ro Khanna said.

Rep. Khanna is part of the new fentanyl policy working group. He says they will hold hearings and recommend legislation to hold China accountable.

“Sanctions need to be on the table, certainly any Chinese firm that is engaged in the component part manufacturing of fentanyl needs to be sanctioned,” Khanna said.

And beyond sanctions, California Congresswoman Michelle Steel says, “Secure the border.”

Rep. Steel says her state has seen the bulk of the problem. Last year, California reported it seized more than 62,000 pounds of the drug.

“It’s coming in by the plane, by the ship and walking through the borders, so we have to stop that,” Steel said.

Khanna says he expects the group to propose bipartisan bills.

“That I hope will pass during the lame duck session in Congress.”

In the meantime, Babcock is leading a rally in Washington this weekend to call for action.

“Everyone’s dying here. It’s not a red or blue issue. It’s a red, white and blue issue,” Babcock said.

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