H.R. 27 - Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act

Committee on Rules

2025-02-04

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Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The Rules Committee convened to consider H.R. 27, the Halt Fentanyl Act, which aims to permanently place fentanyl analogs into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act to curb illicit trafficking. Witnesses, including Representatives Griffith and DeGette, testified on the bill's potential to deter fentanyl cartels by eliminating legal loophholes, its research provisions, and the public health and safety implications. While proponents argue the legislation strengthens enforcement and allows scientific study of fentanyl analogs, critics contend it is a narrow, partisan effort that fails to address the root causes of addiction or funding cuts to public health programs. The hearing also highlighted bipartisan concerns about the Trump administration's attempts to freeze federal funding for substance abuse programs, which critics view as undermining efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis. The bill's adoption was ultimately secured through a procedural motion, with amendments failing to gain traction amid divisions over its scope and impact on public health initiatives.

Participants

Transcript

Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare recess at any time.  Today, the Rules Committee is convening to consider H.R.  27, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act, or Halt Fentanyl Act.  Illicit fentanyl and its analogs are responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans every single year.  Fentanyl destroys families, upends communities,   and poses a serious threat to the health and safety of millions of Americans.  For context, in 2022, the DEA seized over 379 million doses of fentanyl.  That's enough to kill every single American.  And with the open border policies of the previous administrations that are now thankfully being reversed by President Trump,   The stream of fentanyl into the United States over the last four decades went unimpeded.  Something must be done to change the trajectory, and H.R.  27 offers a solution.  This legislation would permanently place fentanyl analogs into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, simplify registration processes for certain research with Schedule I substances,   provide for exemption of individual analogs from Schedule I when evidence demonstrates it is appropriate.  Last Congress, the Halt-Fentanyl Act received sizable bipartisan support, with 74 Democrats voting yes alongside Republicans.  I hope this time around that more of our colleagues across the aisle will join us.   Everyone in this room has certainly read stories or seen news coverage of how illicit fentanyl has wreaked havoc upon our country.  One life lost to fentanyl is too many.  One life ensnared by an addiction to fentanyl is too many.
All of us agree to that.   Again, this bipartisan legislation offers us the opportunity to make significant headway in addressing a serious issue that continues to affect our nation.  I look forward to the discussion on this legislation, and I now yield to the ranking member, Mr. McGovern, for any comments he wishes to make.  Well, thank you, Madam Chair.
So we are here to consider H.R.  27, the Halt Fentanyl Act.   You know, as we all know, the opiate epidemic, especially the fentanyl crisis, is a devastating tragedy.  It continues to take lives, destroy families and wreak havoc on communities all across this country.  We have to figure out a way to work together to keep drugs off our streets, to prevent addiction and support those who are struggling with recovery.  But for us to have a constructive conversation tonight, I think we need to set the record straight about a few things.  Just last week,   While some of my friends were at the Trump Doral Resort in Miami, the Trump administration tried to suspend vital funding that provides Americans benefits that keep them safe, healthy, fed, and afloat.  We're talking about freezing things like Medicaid, WIC, Meals on Wheels, and even veterans benefits.  Let's be clear.   This freeze would have also blocked hundreds of billions of dollars in bipartisan funding for law enforcement, substance abuse treatment, homeland security activities, and funds to specifically combat the fentanyl crisis.  And all this chaos was spun with the help of many Republicans, including some on this committee.  State and local law enforcement assistance, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program, you know, all   the chopping block and so i don't want to have be lectured about the fentanyl crisis after republicans tried to blow up the programs to keep it off our streets donald trump made it a priority his first week in office to pardon ross ulbrich this is the guy who was sentenced to life in federal prison for making fentanyl widely available to online consumers that's right   One of his first acts was to pardon a notorious convicted fentanyl supplier.
I don't know.  I think there's kind of a disconnect here.  You back the blue by pardoning people who beat police officers.  You're fighting fentanyl by pardoning an online drug kingpin whose website contributed to fentanyl pouring into our country.  Your big idea to lower the deficit is to cut an agency that represents 1% of the federal budget   and they give 10 times that amount in tax breaks for those who are well-off and well-connected.  So the people I talk to, those on the front lines of this crisis, expect more of us.  They're sick of empty rhetoric.  We need comprehensive, evidence-based ideas to tackle this crisis, to prevent addiction, and to keep fentanyl off our streets.  Instead, the current leader of the Republican Party   is pardoning a guy who let the fentanyl flood in.
With that, I yield back.

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