BRITT HAILS PASSAGE OF HALT FENTANYL ACT
“The era of allowing fentanyl to flow into our country is over”
The U.S. Senate has passed the Halt All Lethal Trafficking (HALT) of Fentanyl Act, a critical measure aimed at curbing the ongoing fentanyl crisis in the United States. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) praised the bill’s passage, highlighting its significance in combating the devastating impact of fentanyl on American communities.
“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,” said Senator Britt. “This legislation makes it clear that the era of allowing fentanyl to flow into our country is over. I’m proud to send this bill to President Trump’s desk as we continue taking action to protect American children and families from the devastating impacts of fentanyl.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that drug overdoses are the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45, with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids accounting for nearly 70% of overdose fatalities in 2022. The HALT Fentanyl Act seeks to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, equipping law enforcement with the necessary tools to address the crisis.
Senator Britt has been a vocal advocate for stronger measures to combat fentanyl trafficking and its consequences. During a recent Senate Judiciary hearing, she reaffirmed her 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.
Beyond the HALT Fentanyl Act, Senator Britt supports multiple legislative efforts targeting the fentanyl epidemic. She has endorsed a bill to establish a Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics, aimed at improving interagency coordination and enhancing legal enforcement. “The flood of fentanyl into our nation is truly devastating American families and communities. 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,” she said.
Additionally, Senator Britt co-sponsors Senator John Kennedy’s (R-La.) Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act, which proposes adjusting mandatory minimum sentencing thresholds for fentanyl distribution. The legislation also calls for increased chemical screening by the U.S. Postal Service to intercept fentanyl shipments.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Britt underscored the urgency of addressing the fentanyl crisis. “The era of allowing deadly fentanyl to flow into our country is over. The American people need us to act now and that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’re going to clean up our streets. We’re going to protect our families. We’re going to secure our borders, and we’re going to ensure that our children actually have the opportunity to live their American Dream. Let’s make America safe again.”
