Federal Initiative to Guarantee Health by Targeting Fentanyl Act
Reps. Buchanan and Pappas Introduce FIGHT Fentanyl Act to Permanently Ban Fentanyl-Like Drugs
This bill was recently introduced in the House and is currently being reviewed by two committees. It is in the early stages of the legislative process and is not yet scheduled for a vote. The bill is actively moving through the initial committee review phase.
Legislative Progress
This bill has support from both parties and addresses a major national health crisis. Since temporary versions of this ban have passed easily before, a permanent fix is likely to succeed.
Key Points
- This bill permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act, closing a loophole where chemists create slight variations of fentanyl to dodge existing bans.
From policy text
“any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of fentanyl-related substances, or which contains their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation.”
View in full text - The bill defines fentanyl-related substances broadly by listing specific chemical modifications to the fentanyl molecule that would automatically make a new substance illegal, covering a wide range of copycat drugs.
From policy text
“the term `fentanyl-related substances' includes any substance that is structurally related to fentanyl by 1 or more of the following modifications”
View in full text - While classifying these substances at the highest level of danger, the bill specifically removes mandatory minimum prison sentences for offenses involving these fentanyl-related substances, giving judges more flexibility in sentencing.
From policy text
“Any minimum term of imprisonment required to be imposed under this subparagraph shall not apply with respect to a controlled substance described in subsection (e)(1) of schedule I.”
View in full text - The bill was introduced with bipartisan support by Rep. Buchanan (R) and Rep. Pappas (D) and has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on the Judiciary for consideration.
From policy text
“Mr. Buchanan (for himself and Mr. Pappas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary”
View in full text
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Milestones
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
2 articlesHouse passes bill to permanently ban fentanyl-related substances
The House approved the Federal Initiative to Guarantee Health by Targeting (FIGHT) Fentanyl Act, a bipartisan measure to permanently schedule fentanyl analogues. Unlike the more controversial HALT Act, this version excludes mandatory minimum sentences for the specific chemicals targeted.
Bipartisan fentanyl bill aims to bypass mandatory minimums debate
Reps. Vern Buchanan and Chris Pappas introduced the FIGHT Fentanyl Act today, offering a middle ground in the drug scheduling debate. The bill makes fentanyl-related substances permanently illegal but grants judges sentencing discretion by removing mandatory minimum requirements.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Federal Initiative to Guarantee Health by Targeting Fentanyl Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(1)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.