House Republicans PASS bill to permanently make fentanyl a Schedule 1 drug
House Republicans PASS bill to permanently make fentanyl a Schedule 1 drug and toughen criminal penalties: Dozens of Democrats back bill to crack down on epidemic
- Fentanyl is currently the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 49, and synthetic opioids are responsible for 66 percent of total overdose deaths in the US.
- The bill garnered bipartisan support in a vote of 289-133
- 74 Democrats crossed party lines to vote for the measure
The House of Representatives passed a bill to address the deadly opioid crisis across the country by imposing tougher penalties on drug traffickers and permanently designating fentanyl as a Schedule 1 narcotic.
Listing fentanyl as a Schedule 1 drug gives law enforcement greater powers to prosecute traffickers, as dealers face tougher penalties for possession and distribution. The bill also removes barriers that prevent researchers from conducting studies on the substances.
The Republican-led bill received bipartisan support in a vote of 289 to 133, and the only Republican to vote “no” to the HALT Fentanyl Act on Thursday was Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky. Seventy-four Democrats crossed party lines to vote in favor of the measure.
Fentanyl is currently the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 49, and synthetic opioids are responsible for 66 percent of total overdose deaths in the US.
The legislation spearheaded by Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., now going to the Senate
In 2018, the former Trump administration temporarily scheduled all synthetic opioids, and Congress extended the authorization a few times. But the temporary status expires on December 31, 2024, prompting congressional action to make it permanent.
The Biden administration has been accused of compromising permanent scheduling, which law enforcement officials say has made their jobs more difficult.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy directed his members to take action to deal with the deadly epidemic as fentanyl and other drugs continue to be smuggled across the southern border with little impact on the dealers who distribute the drug to Americans.
Celebrating the passage of the bill on Thursday, the speaker said: “The HALT Fentanyl Act is a necessary tool to help stop the flow of fentanyl and gives law enforcement agencies the authority they need to help them adequately address this crime. ‘
McCarthy also blamed President Biden for not doing his job as the drug crisis has worsened over the past two years.
Fentanyl and other drugs continue to be smuggled across the southern border with little consequence
“I urge my colleagues in the Senate to quickly pass this legislation so that we can send it to the president’s office for signature,” Griffith said.
“Like any other crisis ignored by the Democrats, the House Republicans are committed to delivering solutions,” McCarthy continued.
The legislation, spearheaded by Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., and Bob Latta, R-Ohio, now heads to the Senate, where there’s a companion bill spearheaded by Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy.
“As the number of overdose deaths in our country reach historic levels, the HALT Fentanyl Act offers a way to move forward amid the tragedy of addiction,” said Griffith.
“I urge my colleagues in the Senate to quickly pass this legislation so that we can send it to the president’s office for signature.”
The White House has expressed support for the House-led bill, but has also pushed for stricter mandatory minimum sentences.
Under Schedule I, if a drug dealer is apprehended handing out 10 grams of fentanyl, he would want a minimum of five years in prison.
If they traded 100 grams, the minimum would be up to 10 years.