The House of Representatives takes a bold step in the fight against the opioid crisis, passing legislation to permanently classify fentanyl as a Schedule I drug.
At a Glance
- The House passed the HALT Fentanyl Act with bipartisan support, 312-108
- The bill aims to permanently classify fentanyl as a Schedule I drug
- Legislation expands mandatory minimum sentences for fentanyl-related offenses
- Nearly 75,000 deaths from synthetic opioids like fentanyl occurred in 2023
- The bill is part of a broader government crackdown on fentanyl trafficking
House Passes HALT Fentanyl Act
In a significant move to combat the ongoing opioid crisis, the House of Representatives has passed the Halt All Lethal Trafficking (HALT) of Fentanyl Act. The legislation, which received strong bipartisan support, aims to permanently classify fentanyl as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. This classification is reserved for substances with a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, subjecting them to the strictest regulatory controls.
The bill passed with a vote of 312-108, with 107 Democrats opposing the measure. The legislative action comes as the Drug Enforcement Administration’s temporary scheduling order for fentanyl is set to expire in March. The HALT Fentanyl Act seeks to provide law enforcement with enhanced tools to combat the distribution of this deadly synthetic opioid.
The House just passed the HALT Fentanyl Act, a bill I originally co-sponsored, because it’s the most obvious thing in the world to be in support of: stopping illicit fentanyl traffickers, saving lives, and giving law enforcement the tools they need. But of course, the Left still… pic.twitter.com/Gwm5etG4iP
— Rep. Dan Crenshaw (@RepDanCrenshaw) February 7, 2025
Expanded Penalties and Law Enforcement Capabilities
A key provision of the HALT Fentanyl Act is the expansion of mandatory minimum sentencing for offenses related to fentanyl and its analogues. This includes manufacturing, importing, or possessing fentanyl-related substances with intent to distribute. Supporters of the bill argue that these measures are necessary to hold drug traffickers accountable and equip law enforcement agencies with the means to effectively combat fentanyl distribution.
The DEA and other proponents emphasize that the legislation plays a crucial role in saving lives and protecting communities from the devastating effects of fentanyl. This sentiment is echoed by many lawmakers who view the bill as a necessary step in addressing the alarming rise in opioid-related deaths across the nation.
Spot on, @repgabeevans.
Passing the HALT Fentanyl Act is a critical step in eradicating this deadly drug from our communities.
By designating fentanyl as a Schedule I substance, law enforcement will be empowered to pursue criminals who traffic fentanyl analogues into the U.S. https://t.co/veFgpUmbFr
— House Homeland GOP (@HomelandGOP) February 6, 2025
The HALT Fentanyl Act is part of a larger government initiative to crack down on fentanyl trafficking and abuse. This comprehensive approach began under President Trump’s administration and includes various strategies to combat the opioid crisis. One such measure involved imposing tariffs on goods from China, a major source of illicit fentanyl, with the threat of similar actions against Mexico and Canada.
