Fitzgerald Advances Legislation to Fight Opioid Epidemic
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statement after he introduced the Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues Act and the House passed H.R. 27, the HALT Fentanyl Act:
“I was proud to support the HALT Fentanyl Act. This critical legislation accomplishes a top legislative priority I passed in the Wisconsin State Senate and have been advocating for since coming to Congress; to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs,” said Congressman Fitzgerald. “Drug overdose has become an all-too-common occurrence, and fentanyl-related overdose is the leading cause of death in this country. We must put an end to this epidemic, and that starts with a permanent designation of this deadly substance.”
Congressman Fitzgerald offered remarks in support of H.R. 27, where he shared two stories of constituents who have overcome the tragedy of drug overdose. Lauri Badura, of Oconomowoc, lost her eldest son, Archie, in 2014 due to an accidental overdose. Since then, she has dedicated herself to advocating on behalf of those struggling with mental health and substance abuse, and started a grassroots organization called, “Saving Others For Archie” to help fight the opioid epidemic on the local, state and national level. Erin and Rick Rachwal, of Pewaukee, lost their son Logan to an overdose in 2021. The results of the toxicology report indicated three different forms of fentanyl were present. In response, Erin and Rick started the “Love, Logan Foundation” to end the stigma surrounding mental health and substance abuse disorders and raise awareness of the dangers of fentanyl and other illicit substances.
Congressman Fitzgerald also re-introduced the Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues (SOFA) Act. This bill, which Congressman Fitzgerald also introduced the previous two Congresses alongside Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, permanently designates fentanyl-related substances to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, and codifies the ruling in United States V. McCray (2d Cir. 2021), which adds fentanyl-related substance to the definition of “controlled substance analogue” in the Controlled Substance Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act for the purposes of establishing mandatory minimums for trafficking and distributing fentanyl. SOFA is the same acronym as an organization started by Lauri Badura, Saving Others for Archie.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Opioid Crisis
- Wisconsin Communities Get Millions From Opioid Settlement as Deaths Decline - Evan Casey - Mar 1st, 2025
- MKE County: County Creates Easy Public Access To Overdose Data - Graham Kilmer - Feb 18th, 2025
- Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and the Office of Emergency Management Launch New Overdose Dashboard - County Executive David Crowley - Feb 18th, 2025
- Fitzgerald Advances Legislation to Fight Opioid Epidemic - U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald - Feb 6th, 2025
- Milwaukee Is Losing a Generation of Black Men To Drug Crisis - Edgar Mendez and Devin Blake - Jan 31st, 2025
- Milwaukee County’s Overdose Deaths Declined For Second Straight Year - Evan Casey - Jan 27th, 2025
- MKE County: United Community Center Awarded Drug Company Money For Addiction Treatment - Graham Kilmer - Jan 12th, 2025
- DHS Provides Update on Distribution of Latest Opioid Settlement Funds - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Jan 9th, 2025
- Menominee Tribe Has 70% Decline in Overdose Deaths, Hospitalizations - Joe Schulz - Nov 27th, 2024
- Serenity Inns: A Proven Lifesaving Facility Denied Critical State Funding - Serenity Inns - Nov 19th, 2024
Read more about Opioid Crisis here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald
How long has Representative Fitzgerald been in office, and is he “now” working on legislation?
If he wanted to improve accountability and reduce the national debt, he would look at US Military Officers convicted of accepting bribes while on active duty. For example, a Colonel retires and receives full retirement pay. Later convicted in federal court of accepting bribes while on active duty. He is still receiving full retirement pay.
Representative Fitzgerald does nothing.
I had to read the headline twice because I have never before read of Fitz doing anything – – either as a state legislator or in congress.