Congressman Tom Barrett Votes to Permanently Crack Down on Fentanyl Trafficking

Washington, D.C. —  Today, Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) voted YES and helped pass the HALT Fentanyl Act to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as ‘Schedule I’ drugs under the Controlled Substances Act. This critical legislation ensures law enforcement has the tools needed to combat the growing fentanyl crisis that is devastating communities in Michigan and across America.  

"Deadly and illicit fentanyl is the leading cause of death for young Americans between the ages of 18 and 45, yet it’s continued to flood across our southern border at an alarming rate," said Barrett. "This has to stop, which is why we took action today to permanently give law enforcement the authority to seize fentanyl-related substances – often manufactured in China – and prosecute the traffickers who smuggle these lethal drugs into our communities. This is a critical step towards stopping this deadly epidemic in its tracks."  

Fentanyl related substances have been temporarily classified as Schedule I drugs under an emergency order—set to expire on March 31, 2025. Without congressional action, many of these highly lethal substances would become street-legal, allowing traffickers to manipulate fentanyl’s chemical structure to evade prosecution. The HALT Fentanyl Act closes this loophole by making the classification permanent and ensuring U.S. Customs and Border Protection can seize these deadly drugs before they reach American neighborhoods.  

The HALT Fentanyl Act passed the House and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

CLICK HERE to read the bill text.

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