The HALT Fentanyl Act passed by a bipartisan vote of 16-5.
WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee today voted to advance the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act. The bipartisan legislation, led by Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.) and Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), would permanently classify fentanyl-related substances before their temporary Schedule I status expires on March 31, 2025.
The HALT Fentanyl Act was passed out of Committee by a bipartisan vote of 16-5. Attorney General Pam Bondi has endorsed the legislation. President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget has?confirmed that, if Congress passes the bill in its current form, the president will sign it.
“The Senate Judiciary Committee’s broad, bipartisan passage of the HALT Fentanyl Act is an important step towards ending our nation’s deadly opioid epidemic,” Grassley said. “Congress has a dwindling shot clock to pass this bill before fentanyl-related substances’ Schedule I status runs out. I urge my congressional colleagues to continue moving this legislation forward, so we can make permanent scheduling of fentanyl analogs the law of the land.”
“Chinese fentanyl was pouring into the U.S. under President Biden’s open border. Law enforcement needs every tool possible to combat this,” Cassidy said. “I am grateful for Chairman Grassley’s quick work to move this through the Judiciary Committee. Let’s make it law.”
“I’m pleased that my HALT Fentanyl Act is one step closer to becoming law,” Heinrich said. "My legislation now heads to the Senate floor, and I urge my colleagues to pass it. The HALT Fentanyl Act is urgently needed to help our law enforcement crack down on illegal trafficking, get deadly fentanyl out of our communities, and save lives.”
The HALT Fentanyl Act is supported by over 40 major advocacy groups, including a coalition of over 200 impacted family groups. Learn more about the bill’s widespread support HERE.
Download bill text HERE and a fact sheet HERE.
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