Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak celebrates House Passage of HALT Fentanyl Act

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) celebrated the bipartisan passage of H.R. 27, the HALT Fentanyl Act, legislation that permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act. The legislation, co-sponsored by Fedorchak, passed the House of Representatives with a bipartisan vote of 312-108. 

“North Dakota law enforcement say record amounts of fentanyl are pouring into our state. What’s most disturbing is how traffickers are targeting our kids. They're poisoning our children and leaving families shattered,” Fedorchak said.  

On the House Floor today, Fedorchak highlighted how the HALT Fentanyl Act gives law enforcement the authority they need to seize these deadly substances and prosecute and punish traffickers. 

Fentanyl and its analogues are up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Even a few milligrams—the size of grains of salt—can be lethal. The drug has poured into the United States, fueled by cartels taking advantage of gaps in the law and porous borders. Consequently, fentanyl and its analogues are the leading cause of death for Americans under 50, surpassing heart disease, cancer, and suicide.  

“With more than 200 Americans dying every day from fentanyl or opioid-related poisonings, the stakes are high. By passing the HALT Fentanyl Act with an overwhelming bipartisan vote, Congress is sending a clear message: Law enforcement will have the tools they need to combat this danger, and traffickers who push these poisons into our communities will face justice,” Fedorchak concluded. 

Fentanyl-involved overdose deaths have risen significantly in North Dakota since 2019. On average, 2 North Dakotans die each week from an unintentional drug overdose. Since 2019, 64 percent of overdose deaths had fentanyl present in their toxicology results.  

The HALT Fentanyl Act: