Senate Passes Gallego-backed Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act

Sen. Gallego, bipartisan colleagues introduced the legislation in January
WASHINGTON –Today, the Senate passed the bipartisanHalt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act, backed bySenator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ). The legislation permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as Schedule I drugs under theControlled Substances Actand gives law enforcement the tools they need to keep extremely lethal and dangerous drugs off our streets and streamline scientific research on these substances. The bill will now head to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
“I’m thrilled that the bipartisan HALT Fentanyl Act has passed because it brings us one step closer to tackling the fentanyl crisis that is devastating families and communities in Arizona. This isn’t a partisan issue — it’s about saving lives. I’m proud that my Senate colleagues came together to take action,”said Senator Gallego.“This legislation gives law enforcement the tools they need to go after traffickers and keep fentanyl out of our communities, so no family has to endure the pain of losing a loved one to fentanyl.”
The bipartisan legislation was led bySenators Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Bill Cassidy (R-LA)andChuck Grassley (R-IA).
Fentanyl-related substances contributed to nearly 75,000 overdose deaths in 2023. Traffickers have exploited legal loopholes to evade prosecution, prompting repeated temporary scheduling extensions by Congress. TheHALT Fentanyl Actwould close these loopholes permanently.
TheHalt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Actwould: