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Kustoff Introduces the STEER Act

April 2, 2019

Works to target counterfeit pill makers

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Representatives David Kustoff (TN-08) and Annie Kuster (NH-02) reintroduced the Substance Tableting and Encapsulating Enforcement and Registration (STEER) Act or H.R. 2020. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), introduced a companion bill in the U.S. Senate.

The STEER Act is a bipartisan, bicameral bill, that works to combat the opioid crisis by cracking down on counterfeit pill makers.This measure requires official registration with the Attorney General for any person in possession of a tableting or encapsulating machine, also known as a pill press, to prevent the use of these machines to create and distribute narcotics.

"With 1,268 opioid-related deaths in Tennessee in 2017, the opioid death rate is at an all-time high. It is vital we do all we can to provide real solutions to this crisis that is devastating families throughout West Tennessee. The STEER Act proposes tangible steps to help authorities crack down on the production of illicit drugs," said Rep. David Kustoff. "The opioid-crisis knows no boundaries, and through common sense legislation such as the STEER Act, we can bring an end to this epidemic once and for all."

"Synthetic opioids are accelerating an already deadly epidemic and we must do everything we can to stop the spread of these drugs," said Rep. Kuster. "Many knockoff opioids contain dangerous synthetics such as fentanyl or carfentanil, which can kill unwitting individuals who are suffering from substance use disorder. We must hold drug dealers and manufacturers responsible for pushing these counterfeit pills. Cracking down on unregistered pill presses will provide law enforcement with another tool to combat this crisis."