Washington D.C. – The U.S. Senate has passed the Halt All Lethal Trafficking (HALT) of Fentanyl Act, a bill aimed at addressing the nation’s ongoing fentanyl crisis. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) expressed her strong support for the legislation, emphasizing its role in combating the influx of fentanyl into the United States.
“We made a promise to the American people to take decisive action against the deadly fentanyl crisis, and with the passage of the HALT Fentanyl Act, we are keeping that promise,” Britt stated. “This legislation makes it clear that the era of allowing fentanyl to flow into our country is over.”
The HALT Fentanyl Act seeks to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, a designation that places them in the most strictly regulated category of drugs. Supporters of the legislation argue that this change will equip law enforcement with stronger legal authority to combat trafficking and distribution.
Fentanyl has been a leading contributor to the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drug overdoses are the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45, with nearly 70% of overdose deaths in 2022 attributed to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.
Senator Britt, who co-sponsored the HALT Fentanyl Act, has been vocal in advocating for stronger measures to curb the flow of fentanyl into the country. She also supports additional legislation aimed at strengthening enforcement and interagency coordination. One such measure is the Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics Act, a bipartisan bill that would create a federal task force dedicated to combating fentanyl trafficking.
“The flood of fentanyl into our nation is truly devastating American families and communities,” Britt said. “I am deeply grateful for this effort to develop a coordinated federal task force to combat the illicit fentanyl and other synthetic narcotics trafficked by bad actors.”
In addition to the HALT Fentanyl Act, Britt is a co-sponsor of Senator John Kennedy’s (R-La.) Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act. This bill proposes changes to the sentencing guidelines for fentanyl distribution and calls for increased chemical screening by the U.S. Postal Service to detect illegal substances being imported into the country.
Britt has repeatedly emphasized the need for legislative action to address the crisis, including during a recent Senate Judiciary hearing where she underscored the dangers posed by fentanyl to American families. “The American people need us to act now, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” she said.
The passage of the HALT Fentanyl Act now sends the bill to the president’s desk for final approval. Supporters of the legislation argue that its enactment will enhance the federal government’s ability to address the fentanyl epidemic, while critics have raised concerns about the potential implications of strict drug scheduling policies. The ongoing debate over fentanyl regulation continues to be a focal point of national drug policy discussions.
