Senator Mark Kelly scored a bipartisan victory this week as his bill targeting drug cartels passed the Senate, aiming to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Mexico in the fight against deadly narcotics.
The Counternarcotics Enhancement Act, co-sponsored by Mark Kelly and Texas Senator John Cornyn, passed as part of the larger National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation requires America's intelligence agencies to create a detailed action plan for working with Mexico to stop drug trafficking.
"To win the fight against drug trafficking, the U.S. and Mexico have to work together against the cartels," Kelly emphasized in his statement. "This effort with Republicans and Democrats will make our country safer by keeping drugs off our streets."
The new law requires the Director of National Intelligence to submit a comprehensive strategy to Congress explaining how U.S. intelligence agencies will partner with Mexican authorities. The plan must include three key components:
- Intelligence leaders must describe their current relationships with Mexican government agencies and evaluate any security risks involved in sharing information.
- They must outline a strategy for improving cooperation with each Mexican agency they work with directly.
- They must explain what resources and funding are needed to make the plan work effectively.
Border Access
Arizona shares a 370-mile border with Mexico, making it a significant entry point for illegal drugs entering the United States. The state has been particularly impacted by fentanyl and other dangerous substances smuggled by cartels.
John Cornyn emphasized the human cost of the drug crisis, expressing that "one innocent life lost because of illicit narcotics smuggled into the U.S. by way of Mexico is one too many." He further emphasized that the bill "would ensure our Intelligence Community leverages the U.S.-Mexico relationship to most effectively root out these silent killers.”
The legislation comes as Arizona has seen some progress in the fight against opioids. Back in June, the state reported a 15.6% decrease in opioid-related deaths, dropping from 2,053 to 1,732 deaths.
Fentanyl deaths specifically fell by 18.5%, showing the ongoing challenges that make Kelly's bipartisan effort critical for Arizona communities.
