To direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to update the policy of the Coast Guard regarding the use of medication to treat drug overdose, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2351) to direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to update the policy of the Coast Guard regarding the use of medication to treat drug overdose, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record for H.R. 2351.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2351 directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to update the services policy regarding use of medication to treat drug overdoses.

This bill also strengthens the Coast Guard's ability to go after drug traffickers and respond to opioid overdoses. H.R. 2351 amends the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act, removing ambiguities in the current law which prohibits the prosecution of cases involving unmanned or autonomous vessels. This bill will therefore ensure that drug traffickers responsible can be charged, tried, and convicted.

Mr. Speaker, I thank T&I Committee member, Representative McDowell, for his leadership on this bipartisan legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of H.R. 2351, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McDowell).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Mr. Speaker, this bill will ensure drug traffickers face justice as they employ new technology and methods to flood our country with dangerous drugs. It will also give the Coast Guard the parity to police other armed services with regard to rapid treatment of drug overdoses, keeping guardsmen safe from accidental exposure.

H.R. 2351 implements changes that will help secure our maritime border and increase safety on our seas.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2351, a bill requiring the Coast Guard to have a substantive policy on treating drug overdoses onboard vessels and also ensuring that the Coast Guard has the legal authority to prosecute certain drug smuggling cases.

I would also like to express my thanks for the bipartisan leadership of Chair Sam Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, and Subcommittee Chair Ezell.

This bill will strengthen the Coast Guard's ability to meet a core mission, saving lives. As we all know, the Coast Guard is involved in high-risk drug interdiction missions, as well as recreational boating oversight where drugs may also be present.

This bill requires the Coast Guard to update its policy on carrying and utilizing medications to treat drug overdoses such as naloxone.

Further, the bill ensures access to these medications at every installation and operational unit. As we all understand, handling drugs like cocaine and fentanyl is an exceptionally risky endeavor, and ensuring the Coast Guard has the necessary medication to prevent someone from losing a life is critical.

In addition, this bill also provides the Coast Guard with the ability to prosecute drug smuggling cases when the vessel operator is not physically onboard.

As technology continues to evolve and transnational criminal organizations get savvier and more sophisticated with their operations, this levels the playing field and helps the United States hold these unmanned vessel operators accountable.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support my colleagues who have worked on this important bipartisan legislation, and I look forward to seeing it passed into law.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 2351, I encourage my colleagues to do the same, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Ezell for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 2351, which will strengthen the ability of the United States Coast Guard to respond effectively to opioid overdose situations.

The Coast Guard is on the front lines of the fight against fentanyl, working to stop traffickers at sea and saving lives in the process. This bill will ensure that they have the tools needed to do just that, because when an overdose happens, there is no time to wait.

This bill will give the Coast Guard broader authority to prosecute cases where illicit drugs are discovered on unmanned vessels or smuggled onboard without the knowledge of the crew.

This bill also ensures that Coast Guard facilities have naloxone and other similar medications on hand to treat overdoses, bringing the Coast Guard in line with other branches of the military.

By giving our coastguardsmen and -women access to naloxone, we are giving them the ability to save lives at sea and protect themselves should they come into contact with these deadly drugs. Put simply, we have their backs, and they have ours.

This commonsense bill will make it easier and safer for our servicemembers to protect our maritime borders with confidence when intercepting these poisons before they reach our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes.''