WASHINGTON – Major law enforcement organizations representing over 1,000,000 officers nationwide, are calling on the Senate to pass the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act immediately and without amendments. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is leading the push to permanently classify illicit fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I, alongside Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.) and Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.).
The White House today reaffirmed the administration’s support for the legislation in its current form. The bill will likely receive a final Senate vote next week.
Law enforcement organizations backing the HALT Fentanyl Act’s swift and clean passage include the National Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, the Major Counties Chiefs Association, the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Alliance of State Drug Enforcement Agencies, the National District Attorneys Association, the National HIDTA Directors Association, the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, the National Sheriffs’ Association the United States Park Police Fraternal Order of Policeand the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association.
The above organizations represent law enforcement agencies across all 50 states, including the major metropolitan areas of New York City, Miami, Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and Houston.
Here’s what they’re saying:
The National Association of Police Organizations:
“Time is of the essence. The DEA’s temporary authority to schedule all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act ends on March 31… We supported the technical changes that had to be made when the Judiciary Committee approved the manager’s amendment last week, but otherwise urged the Committee to advance this critical legislation without further modification, which it did… We are now urging the Senate to swiftly pass S. 331 without amendment”
The National Fraternal Order of Police:
“[The Halt Fentanyl Act], which permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a class into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, would save lives and make our communities safer. We thank Leader Thune for putting the bill on the floor and strongly urge the Senate to pass it without amendment.”
The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association:
“FLEOA thanks @LeaderJohnThune for advancing S. 331/HALT Fentanyl Act. We urge all Senators to quickly pass this measure as-is, without further amendment, and give @DEAHQ permanent scheduling authority for fentanyl-related substances.”
The Major County Sheriffs of America:
“The opioid crisis is devastating our nation. The Senate must pass the HALT Fentanyl Act without delay or changes to give law enforcement the tools to combat this deadly epidemic. We can't afford further delay – let’s act now for public safety.”
The NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association:
“Last month, the Sergeants Benevolent Association joined its partner law enforcement organizations in calling on the Judiciary Committee to advance this critical legislation without delay or modification. We now respectfully request that all senators support passage of S. 331 as approved by the Judiciary Committee and without further amendment.”
A coalition of 11 national, state and local law enforcement organizations:
“The opioid epidemic continues to claim the lives of hundreds of Americans every day. As this crisis escalates, every delay in addressing it only increases the toll on our communities. For the sake of public safety, it is imperative that the Senate pass the HALT Fentanyl Act as it stands, without changes, and move it forward to law.”
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