Several Republican members of Congress interrupted President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address when he mentioned the fentanyl overdose crisis.
When Republicans yelled, the president had to pause and respond, while House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) tried to quiet them.
Biden was telling the story of Doug Griffin, a father from Newton, New Hampshire, who lost his 20-year-old daughter to a fentanyl overdose.
“In high school, Courtney discovered pills. And it led to addiction and, ultimately, death from a fentanyl overdose. She was only 20 at the time. ‘There’s no worse pain,’ Doug said of the last eight years without her “Biden stated.
“Nonetheless, their family turned tragedy into opportunity. Working to change laws and end the stigma. He stated that he wishes to embark on a journey toward American recovery. Doug, we’re rooting for you “He went on to say.
“Fentanyl kills more than 70,000 Americans each year,” said Biden.
Several Republicans interrupted Biden, yelling things like “The border!” and “It’s from China!”
“It’s your fault!” yelled others. as well as “Secure the border!”
“You got it!” Biden said after a brief pause.
He went on to list a number of criminal policies aimed at assisting law enforcement officials in ending fentanyl overdoses in the United States.
In other parts of his speech, he claimed that some of his border policies had actually reduced illegal immigration from Latin America.
“We have reduced illegal migration from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela by 97% since we launched our new border plan last month,” the president said.
“In just the last few months, we have arrested 8,000 human smugglers and seized over 23,000 pounds of fentanyl,” he said. “However, America’s border problems will not be resolved until Congress acts.”
Republicans also objected when Biden advocated for amnesty programs for illegal aliens already in the country.
