GOP Senators introduce legislation to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations

GOP Senators including Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) introduced a bill on Wednesday to designate Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. 

According to Graham, the drug cartels control a large part of Mexico and that needs to be acknowledged. 

"They are making billions of dollars sending fentanyl and illicit drugs into the United States where it is killing our citizens by the thousands," stated Graham, according to The Hill.

The senators are hopeful that if passed, this piece of legislation will allow America and Mexico to take stronger action against the cartels. 

“We will put the cartels in our crosshairs and go after those who provide material support to them, including the Chinese entities who send them chemicals to produce these poisons," Graham said, "The designation of Mexican drug cartels as FTOs is a first step in the major policy changes we need to combat this evil."

Other senators behind this bill include Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and John Kennedy (R-La.). 

Polling indicates most Americans agree with the proposal.