The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Halt Lethal Trafficking (HALT) Fentanyl Act, which permanently schedules fentanyl-related substances as Schedule 1 under the Controlled Substances Acts. Led by Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Bob Latta (R-OH), the measure passed the house with a 312-108 bipartisan vote.
The bill champions released in a statement: “The ongoing fentanyl crisis has been fueled in part by a rise in lethal fentanyl-related substances. We are pleased to see House passage of the HALT Fentanyl Act, which prioritizes the safety of American life and highlights our commitment to defeating the scourge of fentanyl,” said Reps. Griffith and Latta. “Accordingly, we urge swift passage of HALT Fentanyl in the Senate so we can complement President Trump’s actions to curb the flow of fentanyl into America.”
As fentanyl-related deaths continue to surge, the bill now moves to the Senate,
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) joined Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) in introducing the Senate companion bill. Grassley, the new Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, held a hearing on the permanent scheduling of fentanyl last week.. Senator Grassley remarked, “Today, roughly 150 Americans will die from fentanyl poisoning. Cartels fuel this crisis by marketing their poison as legitimate prescription pills. They also avoid regulation by chemically altering the drugs to create powerful fentanyl knock-offs.” Grassley shared, “Congress closed that loophole by temporarily classifying fentanyl-related substances under Schedule 1. The HALT Fentanyl Act would make permanent fentanyl-related substances’ Schedule 1 classification and ensure law enforcement has the tools they need to combat these deadly drugs.”
In 2018, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) temporarily classified all fentanyl-related substances under Schedule 1, and Congress has extended this order several times. However, the temporary scheduling is set to expire on March 31, 2025, if the HALT Fentanyl Act is not passed into law.
This legislation has received wide bipartisan support in both chambers, and it is endorsed by the Drug Enforcement Association of Federal Narcotics Agents, the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Alliance of State Drug Enforcement Agencies, the National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Directors Association, the National Narcotic Officers' Associations' Coalition, the National District Attorneys Association and the Peace Officers Research Association of California.