house Bill H.R. 4739
Should CBP Agents Receive Training on Synthetic Opioids & Personal Protective Equipment to Prevent Exposure?
Argument in favor
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, officers, personnel, and canines are on the frontlines of preventing deadly synthetic opioids like fentanyl from entering the U.S. This work carries a significant risk of accidental exposure and overdose. Providing proper training and protective gear to minimize and mitigate these risks is essential.
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12/10/2019
I can’t believe this is even an issue. It should be automatically added when deadly substances that are airborne or absorbed through skin is involved.
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12/09/2019
My problem is that I do not trust this administration to fully train and protect our officers at the border
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12/09/2019
How can agents do their jobs efficiently if they aren't trained properly or have the necessary equipment to do their jobs? However, why is this a BILL? Can they not authorize training for themselves or procure the necessary equipment? Why is Congress involved in this?
Argument opposed
CBP has already acted to address the problems its Inspector General identified with fentanyl handling, storage, and overdose response at the agency. It’s already committed to putting Narcan kits at all storage vault sites, as well as training all its agents on using the kits. In light of CBP’s efforts, this legislation isn’t needed.
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12/09/2019
Legislation should be directed to the ‘what’ that an agency should be doing as it’s mission. Legislation should, in general, not be directed to the ‘how’ an agency should do it’s mission. If the agency cannot figure out the ‘how’, then they must be incompetent and should just be eliminated. Of course, there may be ‘rules of engagement’ issues from outside factors needed to assure adherence to norms for public engagement or enforcement in special cases where those norms are not clearly established elsewhere. Telling someone ‘how’ they should go about achieving a goal is highly prescriptive and fairly easy to do. Directing someone to accomplish something that is needed is much more difficult and requires strategic thinking and an understanding of broad other interacting factors that may effect those goals. I really think Congress has got to stop regulating the ‘how’ of things and focus on the higher level issues of ‘what’ and ‘why’. Stuff like this is ‘feel good’ legislation that should not be needed; if the agency needs new tools or safety equipment they can justify it in their annual budget request. See, no legislation needed!
12/09/2019
Congress should not need to micro manage the Agency. This is something that the Agency should be able to accomplish on their own authority. If additional funding is required there are methods that allow requests to be made by the Agency. The politicians and appointees need to butt out and allow the federal employees and managers do their jobs and stop interfering.
12/09/2019
They are already doing it so why add this? It dose nothing. How about you let the agency handle its training plans instead of micromanaging?
I can’t believe this is even an issue. It should be automatically added when deadly substances that are airborne or absorbed through skin is involved.
Legislation should be directed to the ‘what’ that an agency should be doing as it’s mission. Legislation should, in general, not be directed to the ‘how’ an agency should do it’s mission. If the agency cannot figure out the ‘how’, then they must be incompetent and should just be eliminated. Of course, there may be ‘rules of engagement’ issues from outside factors needed to assure adherence to norms for public engagement or enforcement in special cases where those norms are not clearly established elsewhere. Telling someone ‘how’ they should go about achieving a goal is highly prescriptive and fairly easy to do. Directing someone to accomplish something that is needed is much more difficult and requires strategic thinking and an understanding of broad other interacting factors that may effect those goals. I really think Congress has got to stop regulating the ‘how’ of things and focus on the higher level issues of ‘what’ and ‘why’. Stuff like this is ‘feel good’ legislation that should not be needed; if the agency needs new tools or safety equipment they can justify it in their annual budget request. See, no legislation needed!
Congress should not need to micro manage the Agency. This is something that the Agency should be able to accomplish on their own authority. If additional funding is required there are methods that allow requests to be made by the Agency. The politicians and appointees need to butt out and allow the federal employees and managers do their jobs and stop interfering.
They are already doing it so why add this? It dose nothing. How about you let the agency handle its training plans instead of micromanaging?
I don’t understand why this bill is even under consideration. In the first place, the IG responsible for oversight fulfilled their duty, informed leadership and corrective measures have been employed. I would assume that the IG would continue to monitor and report as needed. This is an executive function, not requiring further legislation.
My problem is that I do not trust this administration to fully train and protect our officers at the border
How can agents do their jobs efficiently if they aren't trained properly or have the necessary equipment to do their jobs? However, why is this a BILL? Can they not authorize training for themselves or procure the necessary equipment? Why is Congress involved in this?
This is akin to Jerry Seinfeld’s joke about the bike helmet law. And for real - training for fentanyl?? Just don’t take the drugs, make the arrest, file the report. What training. Training for new fake drugs is the same as training for real drugs.
... are we saying the CBP has no training at all here? What exactly is the issue that requires congressional intervention???
All law enforcement, not just CBP should receive this training. They should also receive training on how to provide first aid to those who have overdosed. Exposure to drugs is not just something that CBP would experience. All law enforcement and first responders are likely to experience these situations.
Use common sense. Training is necessary to have agents ready and keep them safe.
Synthetic opioids are manufactured by large pharmaceutical companies inside the US. Their use is prescribed by doctors inside the US. They're distributed by pharmacies inside the US. Even the illegal distribution is inside the US. So why do Customs and Border Patrol, who've already addressed their issues involving synthetic opioids, need more legislation? Why not address the issues caused by synthetic opioids with the domestic pharmaceutical companies that created the problem?
This seems reasonable to me, and we should have our "front lines" authorities enabled to handle drug related concerns such as fentanyl.
Well I wasn’t for this bill. However it passed 100% Bi partisan. 250 Bi partisan bills are sitting on Moscow Mitch’s desk that he refuses to bring to a vote. This one will end up with them. Tell me again why the senators are receiving a paycheck?
The ongoing drug war wastes tax payer money and causes far more problems than full legalization.
How stupid can you get?
Those guys at the border already know how to do their job.
Have you noticed that very few are crossing the border now. No thanks to the left and the politicians but thanks to Border Patrol and POTUS skills
We do not need a law, as the CBP is already addressing the problems with fentanyl handling, storage, and overdose response. They’ve already committed to putting Narcan kits at all storage vault sites, as well as training all their agents on using the kits. We don’t need legislation. CBP has got this!
Re: HR 5038 Illegal Alien Amnesty Bill. I urge opposition to this Bill when it comes up this Wednesday. Vote NO on HR 5038
