Stone County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Mike Stephen Killed in the Line of Duty

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the death of Stone County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Mike Stephen, who was killed in the line of duty today:

“Today, the State of Arkansas mourns the loss of a brave law-enforcement officer killed in the line of duty. Mike Stephen protected the people of Stone County, standing as part of the thin blue line separating our communities from crime and chaos. I encourage all Arkansans to pray for and comfort his family, friends, and neighbors during this moment of loss.”

LITTLE ROCK – Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin issued the following statement on the death of Stone County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Stephen who died in the line of duty earlier today:

"My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Sheriff's Deputy Mike Stephens during this tragic and difficult time. My heart also goes out to the Stone County Sheriff's Department as they grieve the loss of one of their own. Today's news is a mournful reminder to Arkansans of the risks our law enforcement officers face each and every day as they strive to make our communities safer."

Update from Arkansas State Representative DeAnn Vaught

The number of Arkansas children in foster care has fallen by more than 700 since reaching an all-time high in 2016. That information was part of an annual report presented a legislative committee this week.

On Tuesday, the Department of Human Services Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) presented its annual Family Preservation Report to the Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs Committee.

The report outlines progress made and areas for improvement when it comes to the most vulnerable children in our state.

We learned from the report that the number of children in foster care declined by more than 10% during 2018. That is a decrease of 507 children.

Additional funding for DHS approved by the legislature in recent years has helped to increase the number of caseworkers and decrease the average worker caseload. As a result we are seeing children placed in permanent homes sooner and fewer children re-entering the foster care system.

Adoptions were finalized for 969 children in 2018, similar to the previous year and a 16% increase since 2016.

When it comes to areas for improvement, the report notes that the agency struggled to place children close to the homes from which they were removed. A total of 69% resided in either their home county or a neighboring county at the end of 2018, similar to previous years.

Children who are removed from their parents or guardian do better when placed with family members or people they know. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles are often willing to help and make the child feel safe and loved. The percentage of children in care residing with relatives was 27–29% over the past three years. While this is well above the relative placement rate from years ago it is still below the aspiring goal of 33%.

The report breaks down all of the information by every county in the state. We will use this information to continue our efforts in creating policies to keep children in a safe and loving environment. We have posted this report on our website www.arkansashouse.org.

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Southwest Arkansas Rural Business Development Conference Thursday at UAC

Nashville Native Woody Futrell to be Inducted into Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., (July 10, 2019) – The Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation today announced legendary Arkansas journalist Rex Nelson will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the 2019 Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame this August in Little Rock.

“The Arkansas outdoors are special to me,” Nelson said. “I grew up hunting and fishing in this state with a father who was an avid outdoorsman. Outside of its friendly, hard-working people, Arkansas' greatest assets are its natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities.”

Nelson will preside over the induction of four new members to the Hall, including plant naturalist MaryAnn King of London; Big Buck Classic founders Tommy III & Catherine Murchison of Cabot; boat manufacturer Woody Futrell of Nashville and duck habitat innovators the McCollum family of Stuttgart.

“This year’s inductees represent the best of Arkansas,” Nelson said. “These are people who understand our state, its history and its culture. They've done their part to ensure future generations share in that understanding.”

Nelson is one of Arkansas’s most high-profile writers and preeminent speakers. As senior editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, he writes three columns a week and essays for the cover of the newspaper's “Sunday Perspective” section. He's the author of three books including the first full-length biography of Hillary Rodham Clinton, a biography of Arkansas educator Ben Elrod and a collection of his essays on Arkansas. He's also the author of a popular blog, Rex Nelson's Southern Fried and makes regular television and radio appearances.

Among his many accolades are membership in the Arkansas Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame and Rural Advocate of the Year for the state of Arkansas, presented in 2016 by Governor Asa Hutchinson and the Arkansas Rural Development Commission.

Nelson also served for almost a decade as the policy and communications director for Governor Mike Huckabee and then served for four years in the administration of President George W. Bush as one of two appointees to the Delta Regional Authority. He said the work of the AGFF, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and other organizations have played an integral part in preserving Arkansas’s wild spaces.

“My fondest memories are of quail hunting as a boy in Clark and Dallas counties,” Nelson said. “I salute the commission for its efforts to bring back the bobwhite, which I view as one of the top priorities for at least the next decade. The commission and foundation are ensuring that younger Arkansans will continue to enjoy the outdoor benefits that I enjoyed as a boy growing up in this state.”

“They also realize that it's not just about hunting and fishing anymore. The foundation and commission are providing opportunities for those who hike, for birdwatchers, etc. I hate to think what Arkansas would look like without the tens of thousands of acres protected by our wildlife management areas.”

“We’re delighted to have a Master of Ceremonies of Rex Nelson’s caliber,” said Deke Whitbeck, president of the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation. “He epitomizes the term ‘native son’ and a favored one at that. Attendees at the event are in for a real treat, benefiting from Rex’s incomparable knowledge of our state and its spaces.”

The 28th Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet is slated for Saturday, August 24, 2019 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. Tickets for the event are $125 and tables of ten are available for $1,250 each. The night will include dinner, live and silent auctions and induction ceremony. The event is set to begin at 6pm.

Proceeds from the event support the year-around work of the Foundation, which helps introduce hundreds to the joy of the outdoors every year. AGFF’s mission supports Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) initiatives, particularly those aimed at getting young people unplugged and engaged in Arkansas’s outdoors.

Established in 1982, the Foundation is an independently operated 501c3 non-profit organization that serves as the fundraising adjunct to the AGFC. Its membership includes men and women who are passionate about promoting hunting, fishing and conservation education among the youth of Arkansas.

To purchase tickets to the event or for more information, contact the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation office at 501-223-6468 or email agff@agff.org.

Tom Cotton Seeking Fall Interns for Arkansas State Offices

Washington, D.C.— Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today announced he is seeking fall interns in his state offices in Little Rock and Springdale. Internships will be offered in two sessions: August 26 – October 18 and October 21-December 13.

Interns will have the opportunity to help with the daily operations of Senator Cotton's office. Depending on their college requirements, students may be able to receive academic credit for their service. Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to state_internships@cotton.senate.gov and specify their desired office location and session before July 31, 2019.

FCCLA in Anaheim, California for the 2019 National Leadership Conference

Left to Right: Mirella Hernandez, Pedro Sanchez, Isabel Hernandez

July 2019–More than 9,500 Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members, advisers, alumni, and guests from across the country gathered in Anaheim, California, for the 2019 National Leadership Conference. The meeting provided three De Queen Junior High members with the opportunity to attend leadership and program training, hear national speakers, meet the National Executive Council, and explore colleges and careers with FCCLA. Pedro Sanchez, Mirella Hernandez, and Isabel Hernandez also took part in STAR Event competitions at the conference.

FCCLA’s STAR Events (Students Taking Action with Recognition) are competitive events in which members are recognized for proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills, and career preparation. Youth and adults work together to manage the events and serve as evaluators of the participants. Throughout the year, FCCLA members tackle issues such as teen violence prevention, traffic safety, family issues, career exploration, and much more. FCCLA programs and competitions support students’ development of knowledge and skills by enhancing the classroom experience and career pathway initiatives while participating in work-based learning and developing college and career-ready skills.

FCCLA offers over 30 STAR Events. These events represent college and career readiness skills taught in Family and Consumer Sciences classrooms. Members compete at the District, State and National level. This year, Pedro Sanchez was among over 4,500 STAR Event participants who competed in Anaheim, California. Pedro competed in the Focus on Children STAR Event. His project focused on promoting creativity in today’s youth for a better tomorrow. Pedro received a bronze medal in the event. Mirella Hernandez and Isabel Hernandez competed in the Entrepreneurship STAR Event. Their project consisted of creating and presenting a business plan for establishing a company called “Books N’ Pie.” Mirella and Isabel received silver medals in their event.

Farm Credit Donates $50,000 to Arkansas Red Cross Flood Relief

The Farm Credit Cooperatives of Arkansas made a $50,000 donation to the Arkansas Red Cross on July 3. The funds will assist Arkansans impacted by recent flooding along the Arkansas River. Thirty-one counties along the Arkansas portion of the river system sustained damage from late May and early June flooding.

“Every eight minutes, the Red Cross responds to a disaster,” said Arkansas Red Cross Executive Director Lori Arnold.

“Farm Credit’s $50,000 donation will go toward providing essential support so the Red Cross is able to provide clean water, safe shelter and hot meals during people’s darkest moments,” Arnold continued.

The Red Cross responds quickly when disaster strikes. They are often the first to offer meals, shelter, emotional support, health services, relief supplies, initial casework and, eventually, longer-term recovery efforts.

“We live and work in the rural communities we serve and our concern is with our friends, neighbors and customers who have been affected by recent flooding,” said Brandon Haberer president and CEO of Farm Credit of Western Arkansas.

“With some of the state’s most fertile cropland along the Arkansas River, the flooding has been devastating for farmers, in particular,” Haberer continued.

“We have customers with significant damage to homes, farm buildings and farmland. The Farm Credit Cooperatives of Arkansas are making this donation to help support the work the Arkansas Red Cross does in meeting immediate needs in times of crisis.”

With $3.7 billion in assets, the Farm Credit Cooperatives of Arkansas have more than 11,000 members across the state. As three separate Farm Credit associations, AgHeritage Farm Credit Services, Farm Credit Midsouth and Farm Credit of Western Arkansas, they supply reliable credit to farmers, ranchers and rural homeowners. More information available at ARFarmCredit.com.

Archaeology Groups Conclude Research in Sevier County

The University of Arkansas Archaeological Survey Team and the Arkansas Archaeological Society came to UA Cossatot’s De Queen Campus in Sevier County during the month of June. They came to UA Cossatot to use the college as a work station, while they conducted archaeology research in two locations in Sevier County. Both groups have now left and have taken the newly discovered artifacts to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

The archaeologists and volunteers who worked on this assignment chose to come to Sevier County this summer to conduct research at these sites. These locations were gathering places for the Caddo Indians that lived in this region. In 1985, artifacts from these Native Americans were discovered and found at these burial mounds in Lockesburg and De Queen.

The artifacts were taken to Fayetteville, where they have remained for over three decades. The Archaeology Survey Team and Society brought these artifacts back to Sevier County and displayed them at the college for the public to view. Events were held at UA Cossatot to give community members the chance to see findings that were discovered in their community.

Over seventy people participated in this summer research project, and more additional artifacts were discovered. The group members for this project spent two weeks studying the site locations, as well as the old and new findings. They hope these artifacts will help them to complete the puzzle of the ancient Caddo tribes and how they survived while they were living in Southwest Arkansas.

The college provided the archaeological groups a place to set up and prepare. They also hosted a cookout for the visitors at one of the site locations.

On Friday, June 21, at 6:30 P.M. University of Arkansas Station Archaeologist, Dr. Carl Drexler held an evening presentation at UA Cossatot about what they discovered and learned during their time in Sevier County. At the end of the evening talk, door prizes were given out.

The artifacts from the eighties and the recently discovered artifacts mostly include pottery. These materials were boxed up and sent back to Fayetteville, where more research will be conducted for educational purposes

Zac Dunlap Band at Stand Up For America

Zac Dunlap working the crowd at Stand Up For America!

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

Arkansas had one of the most productive, if not most productive, legislative sessions in the country with regard to addressing occupational regulations. Occupational regulations are licensures, certifications, or registrations required for workers in certain occupations. A few examples of licensed occupations include real estate agents, cosmetologists, and veterinarians.

The success during the legislative session is partly due to Arkansas participating in the 15-state learning consortium through the U.S. Department of Labor (supported by the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL), National Governors Association for Best Practices (NGA), and The Council of State Governments (CSG)) and further addressing occupational licensure through the Governor’s Red Tape Reduction Working Group.

For the 2019 legislative session, 41 bills were passed into law that were related to occupational licensing, certification, and registration. One of the new laws (Act 250) ensures that an individual does not lose a license due to a defaulted or delinquent student loan. Another law (Act 820) provides automatic licensure for active duty members, veterans and spouses of military members if they were practicing in another state.

Those forty-one acts can be categorized into specific areas of concern that were discussed as part of the Red Tape Reduction Working Group and the related, Occupational Licensing Advisory Group, including:

(1) Removing Barriers to entry and having the least restrictive regulations in place.

(2) Addressing impacted populations; e.g., military spouses/ veterans/ military members, those with criminal records, and immigrants.

(3) Focusing on licensing board composition.

(4) Engaging in reciprocity agreements & multi-state compacts.

(5) Various administrative and organizational improvements.

One of the acts passed was Act 600 which creates annual legislative reviews of occupational authorizations and entities. This will help to ensure that we continue implementing the least restrictive form of authorization while protecting consumers.

In June, the Occupational Licensing Review Subcommittee of Legislative Council met to draft rules and begin establishing a timeline of occupations to be reviewed this year. The occupational authorizations and the occupational entities will be divided into six groups. The committee will review one group each year. The subcommittee will meet again September 19. You can review the materials and watch the proceedings at www.arkleg.state.ar.us.

Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin on Independence Day

Sevier County 4-H'ers at Cossatot Reefs State Park

Over 50 4-H’ers attended 4-H Cloverbud/Jr. Day Camp at Cossatot Reefs State Park on June 10. They had four programs on the agenda and then enjoyed a hot dog lunch.

On June 10, Sevier County 4-H held its annual Cloverbud & Junior Day Camp at Cossatot Reefs State Park. This was the largest group so far, with over 50 4-H’ers in attendance. They had four programs on the agenda and then enjoyed a hot dog lunch at the park.

Harrell Sherwood from the Arkansas Forestry Department first taught the 4-H’ers how to identify trees based on the shape of the leaves, the fruit or seeds, and the bark. The 4-H’ers got to participate in a fun game to see which team could identify the most trees the quickest.

Robin Stacy from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) showed the 4-H’ers how to use two sticks to “Fiddle for Worms”. They first scouted out good locations with compost to do their “fiddling”. Each kid was given two sticks, the long one to place in the ground and a short one to rub on the long stick to cause vibrations, which will make the earthworms come to the top of the ground. Each kid found worms, some small and some really large ones. They got a little excited when the worms started popping up!

Jason Kaufman from Arkansas Farm Bureau taught the kids where their food comes from. He gave the percentage and types of foods that are raised in Arkansas. By the time he was through, everyone was hungry!

Casey Hardaway from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission brought three “friends” with her, an alligator, slider turtle, and a king snake. The 4-H’ers got to touch the reptiles, if they wanted to. Some of them even wanted the snake around their neck! Ms. Hardaway explained the state laws on harming wildlife and explained that snakes usually will not harm you unless you mess with them or accidently step on them. Everybody had a great time!

If you would like more information about 4-H, please contact the Sevier County Extension Office at 870-584-3013 or visit us on UA Cossatot Campus in the Adams Building.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

Arkansas is home to more than 600,000 acres of lakes and more than 90,000 miles of rivers, streams, and creeks. As this is a popular time of the year for Arkansans to enjoy the waterways, we wanted to highlight boating safety in the state.

Last year, Arkansas saw a 9% decrease in boating accidents and a 36% decrease in the number of boaters who died from boating accidents. However, there were 60 reported boating accidents in 2018 which resulted in 29 injuries that required medical attention and seven fatalities. Of those seven fatalities, six drowned. According to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, three of those six were not wearing a life vest and the other three were either improperly wearing their life vest or their vest was in poor condition and not functioning properly.

In order to ensure your safety, we wanted to remind you of some of the laws passed over the years regarding boating safety so that we can continue to reduce the amount of property damage and to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities associated with boating. Make sure to keep in mind that:

• Anyone born on or after January 1, 1986 must have successfully completed an approved Arkansas Game and Fish Boating Education course and carry proof while operating a motorboat or sailboat on Arkansas water.

• Every boat must have at least one U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket per person on-board. Children 12 and under must be wearing their life jacket at all times. Also, no matter the age, every person aboard a personal watercraft must be wearing an approved life vest

•To operate a personal watercraft, a person must be 16 year or older. Children aged 12-15 must be under the direct supervision of a person of at least 18 years old. Children 12 and under must be under the direct supervision of a person of at least 21 years.

For more information on boating safety please visit the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at www.agfc.com

De Queen / Sevier County Chamber of Commerce News Brief

JULY 1st is Opening Day for Bi-Annual Mobile Food Vendors Applications
On July 1st, the City of De Queen will accept applications for mobile food vendors for fifteen bi-annual permits. The bi-annual permits are available ($100 for 6 months) for vendors to set up on privately-owned property (not owned by the vendor) within the city. Event permits are also available ($50 for 3-days). All vendors applicants must meet state and city requirements and the mobile truck/trailer must pass inspection at the fire station. Applications and copies of the ordinance are available at De Queen City Hall or at the Chamber of Commerce. For questions, call 870-642-3445 or 870-584-3225.

Rural Business Conference for Southwest Arkansas
July 11th, from 8:30 am - 2:00 pm, the Rural Business Conference will be hosted at UA Cossatot. This is a 'must attend' for all of our chamber member business owners, and please share with any entrepreneurs, business students and graduates. The power-packed agenda starts with a breakfast with local lenders and representatives from organizations such as the United States Small Business Administration, USDA Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program, and Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC). A sample of the topics includes discussion of small business technical assistance resources, and public and private procurement. Several speakers will also be introduced during the luncheon.

*Note by Suzanne ~ "When I took the position of Executive Director last year and asked businesses what was most needed from the Chamber of Commerce, the overwhelming reply was for more focus on business needs and resources to help grow the local economy. By working with strategic partners, we are able to offer opportunities for the business community, and this conference is one that has the focus and the tools!"

Click here: Rural Business Conference Registration

Tourism Magazine Deadline Mid-July 
For Photos and Ads
The Sevier County Tourism Magazine will be published this fall. It will be full of photographs showing off Sevier County's places to go and things to do, along with stories highlighting festivals, points of interest, Sevier County history, local contact information, and fun curiosities. With tourism now a growing component of our local economy, the magazine will be looking at widespread distribution at welcome and visitor centers in-state and out, hotels, motels, cabins, tourist destinations, accomodations, restaurants, and retailers, etc.

If you are interested in placing an ad or submitting a photo in the magazine and have questions, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 870-584-3225.For the magazine ad rates and contact information, click the link below.

Click here: Tourism Magazine Ad Rates

Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Interviews 
BRE Interviews have started! A big THANK YOU to the businesses that have already completed the interview or are on the schedule.

This information is vital to the health of our businesses, which directly affects the local economy AND the quality of our local communities. The Chamber of Commerce cannot help your business if we do not know the needs, and we are working hard to connect with you so your business can stay here, grow here and keep jobs here!

Interviews are conducted at your place of business (unless another location is requested), all information is kept confidential and anonymous, and the interview takes approximately one hour. For businesses in retail and accommodations, the interview data is kept anonymous and is compiled by CREATE Bridges to identify and implement strategies to grow the local tourism economy. We need all businesses to participate in BRE, call 870-584-3225 to get on the schedule!

4-H Teens Recently Attend Teen Leader Conference

The Arkansas 4-H Teen Leader Conference was held in Little Rock June 11 – 14. From all across the state, teens travel to attend this once a year opportunity. We had five teens representing our Sevier County 4-H clubs this year. Amber Morris, Aubrey Seymour, Kaydee Cowling, Ethan Wolcott, and Alec Frachiseur all attended.
While at the conference, teens learned different ways of becoming a better leader for their community. For instance, this year’s theme was “Be the Spark”. Youth learned how to empower other young potential leaders. One skill that each teen really was impressed with was the 5 C’s to giving a speech. The 5 C’s, Character, Competence, Culture, Chemistry, and Caring, is a skill they can use for the rest of their lives as they continue to grow with their leadership skills.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

From guided hikes to kayak outings, there are over 50,000 family friendly programs available at our Arkansas State Parks. If you are still looking for a summer getaway, consider the options in our own backyard.

In 1996, Arkansas voters passed a constitutionally dedicated conservation sales tax benefitting Arkansas State Parks and three sister conservation agencies. We now have 52 state parks on 54,400 acres with 1,800 campsites, 208 cabins, and 5 lodges serving 8 million visitors annually.

Arkansas has more than 9,700 miles of rivers and streams, and a good deal of it is perfect for floating—be it by canoe, raft or kayak.Experience a lake tour at DeGray Lake Resort, or view the sunset from your kayak on the Bull Shoals-White River. Park interpreters will guide you through the waters as they inform you about your surroundings.

Our state parks also offer lessons in how to cook in historic southern traditions. Learn about the flavors of various herbs at the Ozark Folk Center or how to prepare pizza in an earthen oven at Davidsonville.

Or get away from the harsh city lights and attend a star party. Arkansas’s state parks welcome visitors to look for constellations and learn about astronomy this spring and summer. Guided tours are offered at several parks including Village Creek and Pinnacle Mountain.

And speaking of stars, don’t forget about the opportunities at our national parks. The International Dark-Sky Association just recently designated the Buffalo National River Park as a Dark Sky Park. It is the first such designation for Arkansas and now becomes one of only 19 national parks to be officially recognized as a Dark Sky Park.

There will be a variety of ranger-led night sky programs offered at Buffalo Point this summer.

The Arkansas River flooding is impacting only a few park services. We encourage you to call the park ahead of time to ensure your planned activities are still on schedule.

Check out all Arkansas parks has to offer atwww.arkansasstateparks.com . You can find information on our national parks atwww.nps.gov.

Sevier County Goodgrid Meeting Audio Tuesday Night

Ed 88’s Loren Hinton Visited With Sevier County Judge Greg Ray Wednesday For an Audio Hospital Update

Sevier County Judge Greg Ray visited with Ed 88’s Loren Hinton Wednesday morning about the current situation with the hospital. (Click above to listen)

Scholarships Available For Upcoming Fall and Spring Semesters

Scholarships | University of Arkansas Cossatot Community College

Little River Cattlemen's Scholarship - August 16, 2019 Deadline Board of Visitor's GED - August 2016, Deadline Cawood-Wright Scholarship - August 16, 2019 Deadline Frachiseur-Pulliam Associate of Applied Science-Business Scholarship - August 16, 2019 Deadline Bill & Christa Kolb Scholarship - August 16, 2019 Deadline Disabled American Veteran Scholarship - August 16, 2019 Deadline 50/50 Scholarship - Available until filled Domtar Forestry Wood Hauler Scholarship - Available until filled

Need money for college? We have some open scholarships for the upcoming fall and spring semesters. Here is a link to the applications: https://www.cccua.edu/pay-for-college/scholarships
The deadline is August 16.

Schumer and Cotton in USA Today

Schumer & Cotton: Our bipartisan 'Fentanyl Sanctions Act' targets traffickers like China 
USA Today
By: Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Chuck Schumer (D-New York)

Synthetic opioids have devastated our home states and many others. We need to work together to end an epidemic that kills tens of thousands a year. Overdosing from synthetic opioids is one of the fastest-growing causes of death in America, a crisis long in the making but one which in recent years has reached critical levels. In 2017 alone, it’s estimated that opioid overdoses claimed the lives of 48,000 Americans — more than double the number from a decade earlier. Of those deaths, approximately 32,000 involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

Fentanyl, in particular, can be especially vicious. It is up to 50 times as potent as heroin, and the average adult can be killed by as little as two or three milligrams — about the size of a few grains of salt.

Drug trafficking is one of the biggest and deadliest threats facing the United States. The federal government has a responsibility to help states combat this epidemic — and that means stopping the spread of this drug at the source, something states alone cannot easily do because the source is often not in America but rather in countries like China.

China is currently the world’s largest producer of illicit fentanyl, much of which ends up in the United States. Chinese-based pharmaceutical and chemical companies produce legitimate drugs, but many knowingly divert illegitimate fentanyl products to traffickers. These traffickers then use international mail to ship these products directly to the United States or sell them to drug cartels. Poor enforcement of fentanyl restrictions in China has allowed this trafficking threat to persist.

To date, only a single fentanyl producer has been targeted with U.S. sanctions. That won’t cut it. To stem the flow of illicit drugs pouring into the United States from China and elsewhere, we have to get tougher on drug traffickers. Our law enforcement and intelligence agencies need additional resources and targeted sanctions tools to meet this challenge.

That’s why we’ve introduced the Fentanyl Sanctions Act, a bipartisan bill that would give U.S. law enforcement the tools it needs to combat opioid trafficking into the United States, particularly from China. Our bill would require the imposition of sanctions on criminal organizations that traffic these drugs into the United States, the financial institutions that assist them and the drug manufacturers that supply them. The legislation would also urge diplomatic efforts with U.S. partners to establish multilateral sanctions against foreign traffickers, and authorize new streams of funding across the U.S. government to combat opioid trafficking.

Some might find it unusual that a Republican from Arkansas and a Democrat from New York are working together on something. But when it comes to this issue we don’t think it’s unusual at all — we believe it’s necessary. Synthetic opioids have devastated both of our home states and many others across the country. If we hope to put an end to an epidemic that kills tens of thousands of people a year, we all need to work together.

We are optimistic about the road ahead. Congress has already passed sweeping legislation aimed at curbing opioid addiction here at home, but more needs to be done to stem the supply of opioids coming in from abroad. As Congress considers an annual defense bill, which is designed to defend our homeland, we have formed a bipartisan group of lawmakers who want our legislation included to deal with the fentanyl crisis. Strong drug enforcement is a critical part of homeland security, and we strongly believe our bill should be included in the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act.

We cannot sit back and hope that the Communist Party in China starts doing a better job at drug enforcement. We need to act now to save American lives by curbing the flow of illegal drugs across our borders. The Fentanyl Sanctions Act is a great place to start