Singer and songwriter Jason “Jelly Roll” DeFord testified before the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee on Thursday in Washington, DC,USA

Jelly Roll, the country musician who rose to fame by singing about his struggles with addiction, attended a Senate hearing in hopes of finding support. The former drug dealer turned rapper, known for his distinctive face tattoos, sought assistance for his cause during the hearing.

Jelly Roll’s testimony

In his testimony before the Senate Banking Committee, Jason “Jelly Roll” DeFord discussed the heartbreaking impact of fentanyl at his concerts. He emphasized how fans, seeking solace in music, hope for a government that prioritizes human life over politics. Despite these challenges, DeFord’s chart-topping singles, such as “Need a Favor” and “Son of a Sinner,” earned him a Country Music Association Award and a nomination for the upcoming Grammys.

Jelly Roll visited Capitol Hill to back a bipartisan bill supporting law enforcement in tackling money laundering tied to global drug trafficking, especially involving potent drugs like fentanyl. The bill aims to address the surge in drug-related deaths, which surpassed 100,000 in 2022.

A bill introduced by Senate Banking Chairman Sherrod Brown and ranking member Tim Scott has received unanimous committee approval and gained support from 67 co-sponsors. The objective is to combat the fentanyl trade by targeting operations in China that assist drug cartels.

In his written testimony, Christopher Urben, a former assistant special agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration, highlighted the necessity for increased authority, guidance, and resources in the U.S. law enforcement and financial systems to effectively tackle the drug threat.

Urben, currently a managing director at Nardello & Co., explained the process where Chinese money launderers manage profits from U.S. drug deals. They convert these dollars for Chinese individuals seeking to spend or invest in the U.S., such as buying luxury items, paying for education, or acquiring real estate. The exchanged funds are then used to buy Chinese goods, which are shipped to Mexico. According to Urben, this complex system operates more efficiently than other money laundering methods, contributing to the fentanyl trade.

Christopher Urben explained how the proposal would assist the Treasury Department in monitoring money transactions by Chinese launderers and adjusting how banks report suspicious activities related to fentanyl. On the emotional side, Jelly Roll DeFord aimed to connect with people. He began by noting that within the five minutes he spoke, someone in the U.S. would die from a drug overdose. He emphasized the high probability that it would be fentanyl-related, underscoring the urgency of the issue.

Jelly Roll DeFord highlighted that each day, the number of deaths from fentanyl is equivalent to the capacity of a 737 aircraft. He drew a striking comparison, stating, “Just picture the national attention if they reported a plane crashing daily, killing 190 people. But because it’s drug-related deaths, we don’t react the same way. America often bullies and shames drug addicts instead of addressing the real problem.”DeFord described drug addiction as a “mental health problem” and credited therapy and his wife’s support for helping him overcome his own struggles with cocaine use.

He joined Patrick Yoes, the national president of the Fraternal Order of Police, who highlighted the challenges faced by local law enforcement in addressing the fentanyl crisis. They work to stop the flow of fentanyl, catch drug dealers, and save lives during overdoses.

All witnesses agreed that while the banking bill is a positive step, it falls short. Jelly Roll DeFord, unable to vote due to past convictions, urged lawmakers to tackle the root causes of addiction. He encouraged them to extend their efforts beyond the hearing room, reaching out to colleagues and constituents to have a meaningful impact. DeFord said, “Y’all are taking the first step, but I encourage you to take it outside of this room, and you take it to your colleagues and your constituents, and you give them the most that you can.”

Urben discussed the use of WeChat for money laundering in China, suggesting the need for new laws or diplomatic talks to allow the police to check those messages. Yoes emphasized the importance of providing more police with naloxone, a drug that helps stop overdoses.

Brown and Scott admitted they invited DeFord to speak to draw attention and pressure the House to act. Brown humorously remarked, “I’m guessing most of you didn’t have ‘Jelly Roll testifies at Senate Banking Committee’ on your ’24 bingo card.”

Scott echoed the sentiment, expressing disappointment that political games in Washington affected the bill. He mentioned how the bill was included in the Senate’s version of the National Defense Authorization Act but didn’t make it into the final House-Senate product in December. He said, “It is incredibly unfortunate that playing politics is still a game played in Washington, especially on something so important.”

DeFord, who attended many funerals for people who died from drugs, wasn’t the only one in the room who knew about such tragedies. Sen. Thom Tillis from North Carolina, who grew up near DeFord, shared how drugs impacted his life and the lives of people he knew.