Local congressman's first bill passes House
HIGH POINT — Freshman Rep. Addison McDowell, R-6th District, has marked a milestone in his role as a congressman.
The House of Representatives earlier this week passed McDowell's House Resolution 2351 to strengthen the U.S. Coast Guard's authority to combat drug trafficking and respond to fentanyl overdoses. The bill is McDowell's first sponsored legislation to pass on the House floor.
'Our Coast Guard is taking the fight straight to fentanyl traffickers off our coast, stopping dangerous drugs before they poison our communities,' said McDowell, who took office after winning in last November's general election. 'This bill gives them the muscle and authority they need to secure our maritime borders, prosecute traffickers hiding behind unmanned vessels, and save lives with immediate access to naloxone.'
The legislation expands the Coast Guard's authority to prosecute cases involving unmanned vessels or drugs smuggled aboard without the crew's knowledge. The bill also requires naloxone and other lifesaving overdose treatments to be available wherever Coast Guard personnel serve to allow for quick response saving lives during overdoses.
'This bill gives our Coast Guard the tools they need to save lives and stop traffickers,' McDowell said.
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