Reps. Budd, Pappas, Newhouse Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Permanently Classify All Fentanyl-Related Substances Schedule I

Today, Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC) joined Reps. Chris Pappas (D-NH) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) to introduce the Save Americans from the Fentanyl Emergency (SAFE) Act.

The bill permanently schedules all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs.

Background:

Fentanyl overdose was the main cause of deaths for people ages 18-45 from 2020-2021.

Fentanyl-related substances are currently temporarily scheduled as Schedule I.

The temporary scheduling of these substances will expire on March 11 barring any further action by Congress.

Legislative text of the bill is HERE

Rep. Budd said in a statement:

"Deadly drugs like fentanyl have affected thousands of people, damaged families, and devastated communities across the country. Permanently classifying fentanyl analogues as Schedule I substances will give federal and state governments more options to fight the spread of this lethal drug. Congress can and must act to save lives. I'd like to thank Reps. Pappas and Newhouse for teaming up with me on this critical issue."

Rep. Pappas said:

"From my conversations with law enforcement, public health experts, and advocates across New Hampshire, it's clear that we must do more to confront the opioid crisis, stop the trafficking of fentanyl and its analogues, and support our neighbors suffering from substance use disorder. Permanently scheduling deadly fentanyl analogues is an essential step that will ensure law enforcement retains the tools they need to keep our communities safe and hold traffickers accountable for the harm they have caused. I urge my colleagues in the House to support this legislation to help get these deadly substances out of our communities, and I thank Representatives Newhouse and Budd for partnering with me on this important legislation."

Rep. Newhouse said:

"Fentanyl is plaguing our communities in Central Washington and is now the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18-45. Due to President Biden's open-border policies, it is streaming across our southern border at alarming rates. Parents, police officers, and community leaders across Central Washington are expressing their concerns with the threat this overdose crisis poses to our communities. This bill will permanently address this crisis through the DEA scheduling process, ensuring that law enforcement have the critical tools they need to combat drug trafficking, reduce overdose numbers in our communities, and combat the opioid epidemic."

Further background on the Save Americans from the Fentanyl Emergency Act:

Amend Section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act to permanently classify any fentanyl-related substance as a Schedule I drug unless it is already listed in another schedule or specifically exempted.

Define the types of compounds and molecular variations that count as an analogue of fentanyl.

Require the Attorney General to publish a list of substances that meet the classification of a fentanyl-related substance in the Federal Register within 60 days of determination.

Allow the Secretary of HHS to contract with private entities to conduct research and evaluations into fentanyl-related substances, and create a streamlined process to facilitate research of controlled substances in Schedule I to more closely align it with the process for Schedule II research, to expand our understanding of fentanyl-related substances and other drugs.

Require the GAO to issue a report within four years after enactment analyzing the effect of permanent scheduling of fentanyl analogues. The report would analyze impact on research, removal or rescheduling of analogues, manufacturing/trafficking, criminal charges, and overall efficacy on reducing proliferation of fentanyl-related substances.

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