McDowell Introduces PRESS Act to Crack Down on Fentanyl Pill Press Machines Loopholes

McDowell Introduces PRESS Act to Crack Down on Fentanyl Pill Press Machines Loopholes

Washington, D.C.- Today, Congressman Addison McDowell (NC-06) introduced the Preventing Rogue Equipment for Synthetic Substances (PRESS) Act, legislation to stop foreign drug traffickers from importing pill press machines used to develop the illegal fentanyl pills that have devastated American communities for generations.

"The fentanyl crisis didn't happen by accident. It was engineered by cartels and criminal networks that exploit loopholes in our laws," Rep. McDowell said. "As America continues to crack down on the narco-terrorists who built a billion-dollar industry on the lives of American families, we must close these loopholes. The PRESS Act shuts down their supply line by targeting the pill press machines that make mass production possible."

The PRESS Act strengthens federal law to target the equipment cartels who rely on the mass production of deadly counterfeit narcotics, including tableting machines, encapsulating machines, and related components. Additionally, it expands U.S. jurisdiction to hold foreign actors accountable.

McDowell introduced the legislation with a number of original cosponsors, including:

Stephanie Bice (OK-05), Randy Weber (TX-14), Brian Jack (GA-03), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Rudy Yakym (IN-02), Craig Goldman (TX-24), Pat Harrigan (NC-10), Troy Nehls (TX-22), Chuck Edwards (NC-11), Marlin Stutzman (IN-03), Mike Carey (OH-15).

What the PRESS Act does:

• Criminalizes the intentional importation of unlisted precursor chemicals and related equipment, including tableting machines, encapsulating machines, press punches, die systems, and gelatin capsules, that will be used to manufacture controlled substances

• Adds criminal penalties for the unlawful importation of pill presses:
  • Up to 8 years for the illicit manufacturing or distribution of a tableting machine, encapsulating machine, press punch, die system, gelatin capsule, or related equipment and unlisted precursor chemical
  • Not more than 15 years for violations involving more than 1,000 kilograms of unlisted precursor chemicals or 100 tableting or encapsulating machines.

Read the full bill text here.