Press Releases

Today, Congressman Ezell released the following statement after voting in favor of the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act, which would permanently schedule fentanyl-related analogues as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act: 

"The passage of the HALT Fentanyl Act is a crucial step in our fight against the opioid crisis," Ezell said. "By permanently classifying fentanyl analogues as a Schedule I substance, we are sending a clear message to those who seek to harm our communities: we will not tolerate the spread of deadly drugs. This legislation will help law enforcement keep dangerous substances off our streets and protect families from the devastating effects of fentanyl."

Click here to view Ezell's remarks at the National Narcotic Officers' Association Coalitions D.C. Conference.

Background on the HALT Fentanyl Act:

Currently, fentanyl and fentanyl analogues temporarily fall under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) due to a temporary scheduling order that runs through March 31, 2025. The HALT Fentanyl Act would permanently place fentanyl analogues into Schedule I of the CSA, simplify registration processes for certain research with Schedule I substances, remove barriers that currently impede such work, and provide for exemption of individual analogues from Schedule I when evidence demonstrates it is appropriate.

Background on the fentanyl crisis:

Fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances continue to flood over the U.S. southern border. In FY 2024 alone, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized over 21,889 pounds of fentanyl coming across the southern border. Fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Just a few milligrams, an amount small enough to fit inside the ear of Lincoln on a penny, can be lethal.

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