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Jelly Roll<\/strong><\/a>, whose real name is Jason DeFord, spoke in front of Congress on Thursday, January 11, urging lawmakers to pass the FEND Off Fentanyl Act. The country singer, who has been open about his own struggles with drug addiction, gave a powerful testimony at the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee\u2019s hearing on Stopping the Flow of Fentanyl.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s important to note before I start that in these five minutes I\u2019ll be speaking, somebody in the United States will die of a drug overdose,\u201d Jelly, 39, began. \u201cAnd it\u2019s almost a 72 percent chance that during those five minutes, it will be a fentanyl-related [death].\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The musician also made it clear to lawmakers that he \u201chas no political alliance\u201d and does not identify as a Democrat or Republican. He also pointed out his \u201cright to vote has been restricted\u201d because of his past time in prison. Jelly explained that he made these points because he feels that the fentanyl problem in the United States is much bigger than politics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI have never paid attention to a political race in my life,\u201d he shared. \u201cIronically, I think that makes me the perfect person to speak about this because fentanyl transcends partisanship and ideology. This is a totally different problem.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Jelly Roll brought his own personal experiences into the speech. \u201cI understand the paradox of my history as a drug dealer standing in front of this committee,\u201d he admitted. \u201cBut, equally, I think that\u2019s what makes me perfect to talk about this. I was part of the problem. I am here, now, standing as a man that wants to be part of the solution. I brought my community down. I hurt people. I was the uneducated man in the kitchen, playing chemist with drugs I knew absolutely nothing about, just like these drug dealers are doing right now when they\u2019re mixing every drug on the market with fentanyl and they\u2019re killing the people we love.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He also referenced his teenage daughter, Bailee<\/a>, 15, whose mother has struggled with drug addiction. \u201cEvery day I get to look in the eyes of a victim in my household of the effects of drugs,\u201d he said. \u201cEvery single day. And every single day I have to wonder if me and my wife<\/a> [Bunnie XO<\/strong>] \u2026 if today will be the day that I have to tell my daughter that her mother became part of the national statistic.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Jelly and Bunnie XO, 43, got full custody of Bailee amid her mom, Felicia\u2019s, addiction problems.<\/span><\/p>\n The FEND Off Fentanyl Act passed in the Senate in July 2023, but has yet to pass in the House of Representatives. \u201cI pray this message is the beginning of a real change and awareness when it comes to fentanyl and drug addiction in America,\u201d Jelly Roll shared on Instagram after the hearing.<\/span><\/p>\n He concluded his testimony by telling lawmakers, \u201cAt every concert I perform, I witness the heartbreaking impact of fentanyl. I see fans grappling with this tragedy in the form of music that they seek solace in and hope that their experience won\u2019t befall others. They crave reassurance. These are the people I\u2019m here to speak for, y\u2019all. These people crave reassurance that their elected officials actually care more about human life than they do ideology and partisanship.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n