Next week the halls of the Capitol will fill back up as we return from our district work period. While I can assure you, we have a long list of priorities to finish out for the year, we face a crucial moment in our fight against a devastating crisis that has taken root in our communities: the opioid epidemic. This issue is not a distant problem; it is right here, affecting our friends, our families, and our neighbors in Missouri’s Third District. The Opioid Epidemic steals the headlines of our local and national news stations, robs loved ones of memories with friends and family and most importantly, takes the lives of thousands each year.

The numbers are nothing less than shocking. Last year, 1,401 Missourians lost their lives to opioid overdoses, with 248 of those heartbreaking deaths occurring within our District. These statistics are not abstract—they represent cherished members of our communities: brothers, sisters, parents, and friends whose lives were cut tragically short. The ripple effects of each loss are felt deeply by all who knew and loved them, leaving families shattered and communities grieving.

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions, I have taken decisive action to strengthen policies combating the generational threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party. This crisis is not just a local problem—it’s a national emergency, and we are locked in a battle with the supplier of the poison that is killing so many of our own. For decades, China has meddled in our economy, sought to undermine our values, and now, it is striking at the very core of our communities by fueling an epidemic that is taking our loved ones from us. The drugs that are devastating our families are flooding across our borders every day, much of it supplied by China, making its way through Mexico before infiltrating our country. China’s involvement in this crisis is nothing short of a direct assault on the people of Missouri. The fentanyl they produce is a powerful synthetic opioid, often hidden in counterfeit pills and other substances, making its presence all the more insidious and deadly. It’s not just a drug—it’s a weapon aimed at the heart of our families, our communities, and our way of life. This is not just about policy—it’s about the survival of our communities.

Our defense spending bill (NDAA) plays a critical role in this effort by allocating $1.14 billion for drug interdiction and counterdrug activities. This funding is crucial for equipping our military and law enforcement with the tools they need to combat the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into our nation and throughout the streets of Missouri. Not only does NDAA increase support for the National Guard Counterdrug Program, but it ensures that those on the front lines have the resources they need to protect our communities. By shifting the jurisdiction over Mexico from U.S. Northern Command to U.S. Southern Command, we are enhancing coordination in the fight against drug trafficking, targeting the problem where it starts.

But stopping the flow of drugs is only part of the solution. We must also come together as a community to support those affected by this crisis. Families who have lost loved ones need our compassion and our continued action in the continued fight against China. This epidemic is a call to action—for stronger policies, for secure borders, and for a united community response. Together, we can honor the memory of those we’ve lost by preventing future tragedies and ensuring a safer, healthier future for all in Missouri’s Third District.

CONTACT US: I encourage you to visit my official website or call my offices in Jefferson City (573-635-7232) or Cottleville (636-327-7055) with your questions and concerns. If you want even greater access to what I am working on, please visit my YouTube site, Facebook page, and keep up-to-date with Twitter and Instagram.

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