House Passes Comstock’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Amendment

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement following the passage of her amendment to the FY17 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, which transfers $7 million from the Government Services Administration to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program:

“The heroin and opioid epidemic continues to severely affect our community and others throughout our nation.  We must utilize every available resource to fight this scourge.  The $7 million this amendment transfers to the HIDTA Program will be critical in our battle against drug traffickers who prey on some of the most vulnerable in our communities.  This increase in resources will also provide support to state and federal prosecutors to convict the individuals associated with dangerous drug trafficking organizations in our area. 

“Congress must not relent in the effort to put a stop to dangerous drug traffickers.  Additionally, under the Washington-Baltimore HIDTA Region, Prince William, Fairfax, and Loudoun Counties are covered, leaving Clarke and Frederick Counties in need of this critical designation.  I will continue to fight for this designation so the Shenandoah Valley has the resources necessary to fight this dangerous flow of drugs in our District.”