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Mothers touched by nitrous oxide addiction bring fight to Congress as House ban proposal gets first hearing
Summary by Laredo News Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Joce Sterman , KGNS — Sitewide
· July 24, 2026
· 5 min read
( InvestigateTV ) — A bill that would ban retail sales of nitrous oxide received its first congressional hearing this week, with the bill’s author telling lawmakers the measure could save lives. Rep. Kevin Mullin, D-Calif., introduced the Nitrous Oxide Safety Act , which would direct the Consumer...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by Laredo News Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Joce Sterman, KGNS — Sitewide Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 24, 2026 Indexed here Jul 24, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway The bill received a hearing in the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade — a step Mullin said came faster than expected.
Why this matters in Laredo News
The push to ban retail sales of nitrous oxide has significant implications for Laredo, where the city's proximity to the border can make it vulnerable to the illicit trade of hazardous substances. As Congress considers the Nitrous Oxide Safety Act, local residents should be aware of the potential risks associated with nitrous oxide addiction, particularly among young people. The stories of mothers like Gerrie Gray-Benedi and Julia Charleston, who have lost loved ones to nitrous oxide addiction, serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of this substance. In Laredo, community leaders and law enforcement officials should be vigilant in monitoring the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide, and work to educate the public about its dangers. By supporting legislation like the Nitrous Oxide Safety Act, Laredo can take a crucial step towards protecting its residents and preventing the kind of tragedies that have befallen families across the country.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . Laredo News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KGNS — Sitewide . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 24, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS — Sitewide ·
Reading time: 5 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ( InvestigateTV ) — A bill that would ban retail sales of nitrous oxide received its first congressional hearing this week, with the bill’s author telling lawmakers the measure could save lives. Rep. Kevin Mullin, D-Calif., introduced the Nitrous Oxide Safety Act , which would direct the Consumer...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 24, 2026 by KGNS — Sitewide and curated for Laredo News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Joce Sterman at KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how Laredo News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Laredo News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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