Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) voted to advance the Halt All Lethal Trafficking (HALT) of Fentanyl Act out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill, which would permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, will now proceed to the full Senate for consideration.
In a statement, Senator Britt emphasized the urgency of addressing fentanyl trafficking. “American families are counting on Congress to stop the flood of fentanyl into our nation and our communities. This bill takes the necessary steps of permanently placing fentanyl-related substances under Schedule I classification and ensuring that law enforcement officers have the tools necessary to actually end this epidemic,” Britt said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drug overdose deaths are the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45, with nearly 70% of overdose fatalities in 2022 linked to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.
Senator Britt recently participated in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing titled “The Poisoning of America: Fentanyl, its Analogues, and the Need for Permanent Class Scheduling.” The hearing featured testimony from multiple witnesses, including Jamie Puerta, President of Victims of Illicit Drugs, and Bridgette Norring, both of whom lost loved ones to fentanyl-related overdoses.
During the hearing, Britt reaffirmed her strong support for the HALT Fentanyl Act. “In my view, we need to be as bold as possible when it comes to taking steps to protecting American children and families from the scourge of fentanyl. That’s one of the reasons I am a co-sponsor of the HALT Fentanyl Act,” she stated. Following the testimonies, she delivered remarks on the Senate floor urging congressional action to address fentanyl trafficking and its deadly impact on communities across the country.
Britt is also a cosponsor of Senator John Kennedy’s (R-La.) Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act, which seeks to adjust quantity thresholds for mandatory minimum prison sentences related to fentanyl distribution. The bill additionally proposes enhanced chemical screening by the U.S. Postal Service and increased personnel for drug interdiction efforts.
In the same Senate Judiciary Committee meeting, Senator Britt voted to advance the nominations of Todd Blanche for Deputy Attorney General and Gail Slater for Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division. During the nominees’ confirmation hearing, Britt addressed policies on sanctuary cities, advocating for restrictions on federal funding to jurisdictions that do not comply with immigration enforcement measures.
The HALT Fentanyl Act now awaits further debate and a vote in the full Senate as lawmakers continue discussions on measures to combat the opioid crisis.
