Congressman Gabe Evans’ Stop Pills That Kill Act Passes House

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Gabe Evans' Stop Pills That Kill Act, legislation to crack down on the production and distribution of counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, methamphetamine, and other dangerous substances, passed the U.S. House of Representatives.

The legislation comes as Colorado moves in the wrong direction on the fentanyl crisis. While synthetic opioid overdose deaths declined 21% nationally from December 2024 to August 2025, they increased 17% in Colorado - the third-fastest increase in the country. Colorado was one of only five states to see an increase during that period, according to the Common Sense Institute.

Denver Democrats have reduced criminal penalties for drug possession offenses in recent years, and efforts to strengthen penalties for fentanyl have stalled at the State Capitol. In 2025, legislation that would have increased criminal penalties for possession of certain synthetic opioids was postponed indefinitely by the Democrat controlled Colorado Senate Judiciary Committee on a 4-3 vote.

"As a former police officer, I've seen firsthand the devastation fentanyl and dangerous drugs brings to families and communities. Today, the House took an important step toward giving federal law enforcement the tools they need to go after the criminals producing and distributing these deadly counterfeit pills. The Stop Pills That Kill Act strengthens penalties, improves our ability to track these drugs, and requires a comprehensive strategy to help law enforcement get them off our streets before another family loses a loved one. I'm proud to see this legislation pass the House, and I'll keep fighting to get it across the finish line." - Congressman Gabe Evans

Background

The Stop Pills That Kill Act would amend the Controlled Substances Act to address certain offenses involving fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and counterfeit substances. The legislation defines a counterfeit fentanyl or methamphetamine substance as one containing fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, or methamphetamine that is marketed, sold, or falsely marked to resemble another product.

The legislation requires the DEA, within 180 days of enactment, to establish and implement an operation and response plan addressing counterfeit fentanyl and methamphetamine substances. The plan must include strategies to strengthen federal law enforcement investigations and seizures, increase education and prevention efforts - including efforts tailored toward youth and teens - and review existing public-awareness campaigns such as "One Pill Can Kill" to determine how they can be improved.

The bill further requires the Attorney General, in consultation with the DEA Administrator and Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, to report annually to Congress on the federal response to counterfeit fentanyl and methamphetamine substances. Those reports would include:

• Data on counterfeit substances seized by federal law enforcement, including how many were in pill form and what illicit substances they contained;

• Information on where and when counterfeit substances were seized;

• Data on federal charges, convictions, and sentences involving counterfeit fentanyl or methamphetamine substances; and

• Information on federal prevention and public-awareness efforts aimed at reducing the spread of counterfeit pills.

The bill passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee in July by a vote of 43-6 before advancing to the House floor. During markup, the bill was amended to also include H.R. 5880 and H.R. 7184.

H.R. 5880, the Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act led by Rep. Hageman, implements serialization requirements for pill presses, pill punches, and their critical parts. It prohibits the removal or alteration of these serial numbers and prohibits the distribution of machines with serial numbers that have been tampered with.

H.R. 7184, the PRESS Act led by Rep. McDowell, amends the Controlled Substances Act to make it unlawful to manufacture, distribute, or import pill press equipment with the intent to illicitly produce a controlled substance.

The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Read the full text of the Stop Pills That Kill Act here.