Jelly Roll Testifies Before Congress Urging Anti-Fentanyl Legislation

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Jelly Roll. Photo: Ashley Osborn

On Wednesday (Jan. 10), breakout star Jelly Roll (Jason DeFord) testified before Congress at a Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee hearing and urged lawmakers to pass legislation against the supply and distribution of fentanyl.

“I’m guessing most of you didn’t have ‘Jelly Roll testifies at Senate Banking Committee’ on your ’24 bingo card,” said Committee Chair Sherrod Brown. “But few speak and sing as eloquently, as openly, as—shall we say—viscerally about addiction as Mr. DeFord,” he continued. “There’s a reason why Americans flock to his music and his concerts. He has a connection with people based on shared pain, shared challenges, shared hope.”

Jelly Roll spoke in support of the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, a sanctions and anti-money laundering bill to help combat the country’s fentanyl crisis by targeting opioid traffickers devastating American communities. The legislation passed in the Senate last July but has yet to make it through the House. Jelly Roll urged lawmakers to usher it further.

“At every concert I perform, I witness the heartbreaking impact of fentanyl,” shared the Grammy nominee. “I see fans grappling with this tragedy in the form of music, that they seek solace in music and hope that their experiences won’t befall others.

“These people crave reassurance that their elected officials actually care more about human life than they do about ideology and partisanship,” he added. Jelly Roll noted that he has no political alliance, as his right to vote has been restricted as a result of his criminal history, and later discussed his time as drug dealer and personal situations where he has witnessed addiction.

“I was a part of the problem. I am here now standing as a man that wants to be a part of the solution.”

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Liza Anderson
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