Senator Justice Applauds Senate Passage of the HALT Fentanyl Act

WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Jim Justice released a statement following Senate passage of the bipartisan Halt Lethal Trafficking (HALT) Fentanyl Act. A bill cosponsored by Senator Justice and originally introduced by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA):

"I'm very proud to join Senator Cassidy on this common-sense bill that will empower law enforcement to punish traffickers, keep deadly drugs off our streets, and ultimately save lives. Drug traffickers distributing fentanyl and similar substances have posed a serious threat to our communities, and West Virginia has seen far too many lost because of it. President Trump promised to crack down on those who distribute deadly fentanyl and fentanyl-like substances into our communities - this bill does just that." said Senator Jim Justice.

BACKGROUND:

• The HALT Fentanyl Act would permanently extend the 2018 Schedule I classification for fentanyl-related substances, which is set to expire on March 31, 2025.
• Fentanyl is the leading cause of death among Americans ages 18-45.
• In fiscal year 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized 21,889 pounds of fentanyl, enough to kill more than 4.9 billion people (assuming a lethal dose of two milligrams)-or enough to wipe out the entire U.S. population more than 14 times over.
• In 2021 alone, 76% of drug overdose deaths in West Virginia were due to fentanyl.
• As Governor, Senator Justice effectively worked to reduce overdose deaths from fentanyl and other drugs in West Virginia.

The legislation is endorsed by the Drug Enforcement Association of Federal Narcotics Agents, the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Alliance of State Drug Enforcement Agencies, the National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Directors Association, the National Narcotic Officers' Associations' Coalition, the National District Attorneys Association and the Peace Officers Research Association of California.

The HALT Fentanyl Act is additionally cosponsored by Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS), Todd Young (R-IN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Mike Lee (R-UT), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Kennedy (R-LA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Angus King (I-ME).

The full bill text is available here.