U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) this week proposed legislation that would define federal punishments that are equivalent to first-degree murder for people making, selling, giving, or distributing any substance that contains two milligrams or more of illicit fentanyl or fentanyl-related substances to another person without their knowledge.
The William and James Wonacott Act of 2023, H.R. 1597, is named for two brothers who both died from fentanyl-laced products. William, 27, a U.S. Air Force veteran, died in Alabama from an overdose of methamphetamine laced with fentanyl. Less than two years later, on Nov. 15, 2022, James, 32, was found dead in his apartment from the same drug. Their parents reside in Yakima, Wash., in Rep. Newhouse’s home state.
“The fentanyl crisis has impacted far too many families in our communities, just like the Wonacott family,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Thank you to Andrew and Brandi [Wonacott, the parents of William and James,] for reaching out to me to bring awareness to this issue, and for being a strong voice for their two sons.
“This crucial legislation will hold dealers and distributors accountable,” the congressman added. “Together, we can bring forth real solutions to confront the fentanyl crisis that is plaguing every corner of our communities.”
Rep. Newhouse sponsored H.R. 1597 on March 14 with one Republican cosponsor. Penalties under the bill for those who sell, give, or distribute illicit fentanyl-related substances would result in a minimum of 20 years with the possibility of a life sentence, according to the text of the bill.
Likewise, if the selling, giving, or distributing of such fentanyl-related substances results in death, then such actions would result in a minimum of 25 years with the possibility of serving life, the bill says.
“When this legislation becomes law and saves one family from the hurt and grief Brandi and I have had to endure, it is worth it,” said Andrew Wonacott. “Thank you to Dan Newhouse’s efforts on this crisis. We are hopeful that Congress passes this legislation quickly with bipartisan support.”