Kean, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Address Fentanyl Crisis
(OCTOBER 1, 2026) WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07), Congressman Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), Congressman Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), and Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced the Fight Against Fentanyl Act, a bill to permit the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) to be used for the purchase of fentanyl testing kits and opioid reversal agents by law enforcement agencies.
The Byrne JAG grant program is the leading source of federal funding to state and local police jurisdictions. The Fight Against Fentanyl Act would amend the Byrne JAG program to allow for state and local police agencies to purchase fentanyl test kits and opioid reversal agents using federal funds.
“Access to fentanyl testing kits and opioid reversal agents is essential to prevent overdoses and deaths,” said Congressman Kean. “It is essential that we get first responders the tools they need to combat this deadly epidemic. I am pleased to work with Representatives Van Drew, Garbarino, and Lawler to introduce this legislation to take steps towards safeguarding communities from the devastating impact of fentanyl.”
"Fentanyl is different from anything we have dealt with before because such a small amount can be deadly,” said Congressman Van Drew. “We have to attack this problem from every direction. The Fight Against Fentanyl Act is one piece of that by helping local law enforcement use existing federal grant dollars for fentanyl testing kits and overdose reversal drugs. If there is something we can put in the hands of our police officers that can help catch fentanyl or save somebody’s life, they should have it.”
“Fentanyl continues to devastate families and communities on Long Island and across the country. I’m proud to join Congressman Kean in leading the Fight Against Fentanyl Act to ensure law enforcement has access to the tools they need to combat this deadly drug and save lives,” said Congressman Garbarino.
“Substance use disorder and fentanyl are destroying families across the country, and we must work together at every level to combat this crisis. This legislation gives law enforcement the resources they need by allowing Byrne JAG grants to fund fentanyl testing kits and lifesaving opioid reversal agents that can mean the difference between life and death. I was proud to support this legislation last Congress, and I will continue working to give our communities the tools they need to fight back,” said Congressman Lawler.
Congressman Kean has been a leader in the fight against fentanyl. Earlier this year, he introduced the American Cooperation with Our Neighbors Act with Congressman Greg Stanton (AZ-04) that would direct the State Department to create a strategy for cooperation between the United States and Mexico to stop illicit fentanyl trafficking.
Watch Congressman Kean speak in support of the American Cooperation with Our Neighbors Act HERE.
In January 2025, Congressman Kean voted in favor of the HALT Fentanyl Act, which was signed into law later that year to reclassify fentanyl-related substances as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act.
Since taking office, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. has secured nearly $22 million for law enforcement across New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District through the Community Project Funding process, demonstrating a consistent, tangible commitment to backing the blue with real resources.
Read the text of the Fight Against Fentanyl Act HERE.
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