Findlay Times

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act, with a vote of 312 to 108. This bipartisan legislation, spearheaded by Congressman Bob Latta and Congressman Morgan Griffith, aims to make the temporary class-wide scheduling order for fentanyl-related substances permanent.

In 2023, over 107,000 individuals died from drug overdoses, with approximately 75,000 deaths linked to synthetic opioids such as illicit fentanyl and its related substances.

Congressman Bob Latta expressed optimism about the House's decision: "I'm encouraged the House has overwhelmingly advanced our HALT Fentanyl Act, which will help curb the devastating fentanyl poisoning crisis," he said. He emphasized that while the bill seeks to control this crisis by making scheduling permanent, it does not hinder research or restrict medicinal access. Latta urged the Senate to act swiftly in forwarding the bill for presidential approval.

Morgan Griffith highlighted the importance of this legislative move: “The HALT Fentanyl Act highlights House Republicans’ commitment to tackling deadly fentanyl-related substances and saving lives," he stated.

Speaker Mike Johnson commented on the implications of passing this act: "Today, the House took a critical step forward to combat the fentanyl crisis by passing the HALT Fentanyl Act." He criticized past administrative policies and underscored Republican efforts in addressing drug-related issues.

Majority Leader Steve Scalise pointed out the severity of fentanyl's impact on American society: "Fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances are now the leading cause of death for adults under 50 years old."

Majority Whip Tom Emmer noted his concern over current administration policies while supporting Republican efforts to govern effectively in addressing this issue. Similarly, Lisa McClain acknowledged bipartisan support for passage and praised colleagues Griffith and Latta for their dedication.

Committee Chairmen Brett Guthrie and Buddy Carter reinforced support from their committees: “As Republicans work to fix the previous Administration’s border crisis...this legislation will serve as an important tool."

The HALT Fentanyl Act proposes placing all fentanyl analogues permanently into Schedule I under federal law while allowing research exemptions when justified by evidence. It aims at simplifying registration processes for specific studies involving these substances while ensuring practitioners can investigate potential health impacts comprehensively.