Congressman Pat Harrigan Votes to Pass the HALT Fentanyl Act

Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) voted to pass H.R. 27, the HALT Fentanyl Act, a critical measure to combat the flow of deadly fentanyl-related substances into American communities. This legislation permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs, closing legal loopholes that drug traffickers exploit to push these lethal substances into the United States.

"Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45—more than cancer, heart disease, or car accidents. Every grain of fentanyl smuggled across our border is a weapon aimed at our communities, and right now, cartels are hitting their targets at will," said Congressman Harrigan. "This bill gives law enforcement the tools they need to seize these poisons, dismantle trafficking networks, and save lives. The time for half-measures is over—this is a war, and we must fight it like one.”

Without permanent scheduling, many fentanyl-related substances would become street-legal, stripping law enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection of their authority to seize these highly lethal drugs. In 2022 alone, more than 75,000 Americans died from fentanyl-related overdoses, including an average of nine North Carolinians per day.

Congressman Harrigan is committed to shutting down fentanyl trafficking, holding the criminals behind this crisis accountable, and protecting American families. He urges the Senate to act immediately and pass this legislation to secure our communities, close the loopholes, and stop the flood of fentanyl at its source.