CBW Fentanyl Act

Key Points

• This bill expands existing chemical and biological weapons law to cover fentanyl precursor chemicals. It allows the U.S. to sanction foreign countries whose chemical programs cause injury or damage to other nations, specifically targeting the supply chain for fentanyl production.
• The bill defines "chemical or biological program" to specifically include fentanyl precursor chemicals like benzylfentanyl, 4-anilinopiperidine, and norfentanyl precursors — the raw materials used to manufacture illicit fentanyl.
• When credible evidence surfaces that a foreign government official committed a "covered act," the president must determine within 60 days whether sanctions are warranted and impose initial penalties within 30 days of that determination.
• Initial sanctions include suspending scientific cooperation, banning exports of sensitive technologies, and prohibiting procurement from the offending country's chemical or biological sectors. Escalating sanctions at 120 and 210 days can cut off foreign aid, arms sales, and ultimately block financial transactions.
• The bill includes a presidential waiver for national security but limits it to 180-day periods and sunsets the waiver authority entirely after 5 years, ensuring the sanctions framework becomes increasingly mandatory over time.