The House debated H.R. 2715, the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act, which expands the FDA’s authority to order the destruction of refused imports like food, drugs, medical devices, tobacco, and cosmetics that pose a significant public health risk, with the owner paying the cost and facing penalties for unauthorized export. The bill’s sponsors, Representatives Higgins and Carter of Louisiana, and managers Guthrie and Pallone all spoke in support, arguing that currently blocked goods are simply retried at other ports and that the change would protect consumers, American businesses, and Louisiana seafood producers. No opposition arguments were voiced in the sampled statements.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .
“I am asking the House to pass this bill. It lets the government destroy unsafe imported goods instead of sending them back.”
“Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2715) to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to extend the destruction authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to articles that present a significant public health concern, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:”
Official Congressional Record
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2715) to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to extend the destruction authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to articles that present a significant public health concern, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:
“Representative Higgins and Representative Carter sponsored this bill. I am giving Representative Higgins time to speak.”
“Mr. Speaker, it looks like we have two friends from Louisiana supporting this and who sponsored this bill today, Mr. Higgins and Mr. Carter. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Higgins).”
Official Congressional Record
Mr. Speaker, it looks like we have two friends from Louisiana supporting this and who sponsored this bill today, Mr. Higgins and Mr. Carter. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Higgins).
“I support this bill. It lets the government destroy dangerous imported food, drugs, and other products so they cannot harm Americans.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2715, the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2715 ensures that contaminated imports, ranging from radioactive seafood to illegal Chinese vapes, do not reach American consumers and cause harm. Initially, this legislation began as an effort to target toxin-laced foreign seafood. However, my colleague, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Carter), and I quickly learned that the Department of Health and Human Services cannot destroy other articles, including food, devices, and specific drugs, even though they may pose serious health risks. Without the authority granted within H.R. 2715, dangerous and poisonous imports can find their way to American markets. This legislation grants the Food and Drug Administration additional authority to destroy any articles that fail initial inspection, preventing foreign importers from port-shopping or rebranding their products. This legislation introduces strict penalties for the reintroduction of destroyed items into interstate commerce, ensuring that harmful imported goods are permanently barred from entering our markets. Bad actors attempting to undermine these enforcement measures will face accountability. Strengthening this legislative framework will protect public safety and reinforce our commitment to stringent oversight of imported goods to mirror the American safety standards that American producers must live with. In January, the FDA released its legislative proposals for fiscal year 2026. This included a request for the authority to require importers to destroy any FDA-related product that is refused entry into the United States and that presents a significant public health concern. H.R. 2715 supports the administration and follows through by adding the FDA’s existing authority to destroy imported medical devices and medications with any article that poses a health risk to the public. As we work to improve our Nation’s health and reverse the lingering effects of unfair trade policies, it is essential that the FDA has the authority to eliminate toxic foods and drugs from our country. The Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act protects Americans’ health and prioritizes our domestic industry. I urge full support and swift passage, Mr. Speaker.”
Official Congressional Record
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2715, the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2715 ensures that contaminated imports, ranging from radioactive seafood to illegal Chinese vapes, do not reach American consumers and cause harm. Initially, this legislation began as an effort to target toxin-laced foreign seafood. However, my colleague, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Carter), and I quickly learned that the Department of Health and Human Services cannot destroy other articles, including food, devices, and specific drugs, even though they may pose serious health risks. Without the authority granted within H.R. 2715, dangerous and poisonous imports can find their way to American markets. This legislation grants the Food and Drug Administration additional authority to destroy any articles that fail initial inspection, preventing foreign importers from port-shopping or rebranding their products. This legislation introduces strict penalties for the reintroduction of destroyed items into interstate commerce, ensuring that harmful imported goods are permanently barred from entering our markets. Bad actors attempting to undermine these enforcement measures will face accountability. Strengthening this legislative framework will protect public safety and reinforce our commitment to stringent oversight of imported goods to mirror the American safety standards that American producers must live with. In January, the FDA released its legislative proposals for fiscal year 2026. This included a request for the authority to require importers to destroy any FDA-related product that is refused entry into the United States and that presents a significant public health concern. H.R. 2715 supports the administration and follows through by adding the FDA’s existing authority to destroy imported medical devices and medications with any article that poses a health risk to the public. As we work to improve our Nation’s health and reverse the lingering effects of unfair trade policies, it is essential that the FDA has the authority to eliminate toxic foods and drugs from our country. The Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act protects Americans’ health and prioritizes our domestic industry. I urge full support and swift passage, Mr. Speaker.
“I support this bill. When dangerous food or illegal drugs are stopped at our borders, officials cannot destroy them. Shippers just try to bring them in through another port until they get through. The FDA needs the power to destroy these products.”
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate my friends from Louisiana, both of them, for bringing this forward. This is important. Think about what we are talking about here. Contaminated seafood, illicit drugs, and all of these other things are getting stopped at a port of entry, but FDA has no authority to destroy them. As my friend from New Jersey said, they get returned and come in through another port. As good as our people are at our ports of entry, if you keep sending the same thing through over and over, eventually it is going to get through. It makes no sense not to allow the FDA to destroy these products. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.”
Official Congressional Record
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate my friends from Louisiana, both of them, for bringing this forward. This is important. Think about what we are talking about here. Contaminated seafood, illicit drugs, and all of these other things are getting stopped at a port of entry, but FDA has no authority to destroy them. As my friend from New Jersey said, they get returned and come in through another port. As good as our people are at our ports of entry, if you keep sending the same thing through over and over, eventually it is going to get through. It makes no sense not to allow the FDA to destroy these products. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
