Senate Democrats push President Biden to increase security at Southwest border

Several American senators are calling on President Joe Biden to provide additional resources and strengthen security at the Southwest border to stop the flow of illicit drugs.

U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner of Virginia joined Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and six Democratic colleagues in a call to Biden to stop the flow of illicit drugs such as fentanyl through the United States’ ports of entry. States across the country, including Virginia, struggle with soaring overdose rates. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data shows drugs are overwhelmingly being smuggled through U.S. ports of entry. In response to CBP agents reporting finding pills in seat cushions, car batteries, metal walkers and bicycle frames, the Senators are pushing for increased funding for security and surveillance for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“We have long supported increasing funding for comprehensive measures to enhance border enforcement, management, and security,” the senators wrote. “The situation at our border is complex, and it will take continued leadership and funding to stem the flow of illicit drugs like fentanyl, smuggling, and transnational criminal organizations that operate along our border.”

Overdose deaths, particularly among youth, are increasing across the nation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that more than 112,000 people died from a drug overdose between May 2022 and May 2023, with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids causing the vast majority of overdoses. Virginia was among 37 states in which accidental drug overdoses were the largest cause of death for people under 40 years old in 2022.

The senators are specifically pushing for additional CBP agents and increased processing and screening capacity at ports of entry, as well as acquiring non-invasive inspection technology to stop drug smugglers before their fentanyl hits American fentanyl.

The letter was also signed by Sens. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Jon Tester of Montana, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, and Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada.