America continues to fight an opioid epidemic that has taken the lives of more than one million children across the nation. In Washington State alone, overdose deaths have increased by 35.7% since April 2020 – a tragic rate that is higher than the national average. 

I think about a 23 year old named Carson from Spokane. After suffering from the loss of his Dad, the day after Thanksgiving, he took one pill a drug dealer on Snapchat told him was Xanax. But it was laced with illicit-fentanyl, and it killed him instantly. He had his entire life ahead of him. His mom, Molly, said her son just wanted to better the world around him.  

Last night, I shared Molly and Carson’s story on the House Floor – right before Democrats rejected legislation to permanently schedule fentanyl-related substances and get this extremely lethal, dangerous drug off our streets. Once again, Democrats are choosing to be soft on crime by refusing to address record-high overdose deaths from deadly fentanyl-related substances crossing our border. 

They are denying moms like Molly and all families who have lost a loved one to the opioid crisis justice. We can – and must – do better. I promise to never stop fighting to honor their memory and ensure no one else ever has to experience their pain.