The U.S. Senate voted 84-16 on March 14 to pass legislation led by U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) that aims to help end the nation’s fentanyl crisis.
The Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act, S. 331, which Sen. Cassidy sponsored on Jan. 30, now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.
“Seventy-four thousand people died in 2023 from fentanyl overdoses. Law enforcement needs every tool,” Sen. Cassidy said. “This gives them another tool and makes that tool permanent. We must continue to work until 74,000 becomes 0. I am proud to have led the effort to get this bill to the president’s desk.”
Specifically, S. 331 would make permanent the temporary classification of fentanyl-related substances as a Schedule I drug of the Controlled Substances Act. The bill currently has 30 cosponsors, including 16 original cosponsors such as U.S. Sens. Todd Young (R-IN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).
“I’m pleased that my HALT Fentanyl Act passed the Senate and is one step closer to becoming law,” said Sen. Heinrich. “My legislation now heads to the House 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 bill has been endorsed by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and is supported by 40 advocacy groups, including 25 state attorneys general, 11 law enforcement organizations, nine major medical associations, and Facing Fentanyl, a coalition of over 200 impacted family groups, according to Sen. Cassidy’s office.