Columbia Standard

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, serving as the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, engaged with witnesses during a hearing titled “The Poisoning of America: Fentanyl, its Analogues, and the Need for Permanent Class Scheduling.” Durbin highlighted the need to hold social media companies accountable for their role in the fentanyl crisis affecting children across the nation.

Durbin emphasized past efforts by stating, “We passed bills in this Committee holding Big Tech and social media responsible. Unanimously. There are four or five new members of the Committee, but every member of the Committee two years ago voted for it. Democratic and Republican, conservative and liberal, all voted for the measures.” He expressed frustration over the lack of progress despite bipartisan support: “And what happened as a result of that combined, bipartisan effort? Nothing!”

He further questioned why such initiatives failed to advance in Congress, attributing it to powerful interests opposing liability: “Because there were powerful forces that have a lot of money at stake and don’t want liability who will piously and publicly say that they love this measure... And then when the doors close... they flip... I’m sick and tired of excuses being made and people dying as a result of it.”

Durbin sought insights from Ms. Bridgette Norring, whose son Devin died from fentanyl poisoning after purchasing a counterfeit pill on Snapchat. Norring shared her efforts alongside other families to hold Snapchat accountable through legal action. She founded the Devin Norring Foundation to raise awareness about illicit drugs' dangers.

Similarly affected was Mr. Jaime Puerta, whose son Daniel also succumbed to fentanyl poisoning linked to Snapchat-purchased pills. Puerta stated that their lawsuit against Snapchat has advanced further than any similar case against major social media platforms.

Durbin concluded with encouragement for continued advocacy: “I wish you well. We are dealing with fentanyl and... sexual exploitation... A number of members here have shown real leadership… We can do this… It is our job to make sure that it does happen.”