In the News

WASHINGTON – Majority Whip Tom Emmer today announced key stakeholder support for H.R. 27, the HALT Fentanyl Act. The legislation, sponsored by Representatives Morgan Griffith (VA-09) and Bob Latta (OH-05), would ensure law enforcement agencies are equipped to prosecute fentanyl traffickers and prevent the lethal drug from flooding our communities.

Here is what stakeholders are saying in response to H.R. 27:

AMAC Action, Rebecca Weber, Chairwoman: “The HALT Fentanyl Act is not just about strengthening law enforcement—it is about saving lives and protecting communities. By permanently scheduling fentanyl analogues, we are sending a strong message that the United States will not tolerate the continued destruction caused by this drug. Thank you for your continued dedication to fighting the fentanyl crisis and for your tireless work on behalf of those affected. The lives of countless Americans depend on this bill becoming law.”

Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE), Star Parker, Founder; Donald Eason, President; Marty Dannenfelser, VP, Government Relations and Coalitions: “The Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE) seeks to fight poverty and restore dignity through messages of Faith, Freedom and Personal Responsibility. We are striving to lift up distressed communities that have been particularly hard hit by fentanyl-related substances. By passing the HALT Fentanyl Act and making the temporary class-wide scheduling order permanent, you can help make America’s distressed communities safer and more prosperous.”

National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), William J. Johnson, Esq., Executive Director “The HALT Fentanyl Act would make permanent the current classwide scheduling of all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule 1 drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, giving law enforcement the tools and resources necessary to combat and deter fentanyl in our nation’s communities. NAPO has long fought for resources to support law enforcement’s efforts to combat fentanyl, its analogues, and similar opioids. We thank you for your efforts to help the fight against the spread of this deadly poison in our communities and look forward to working with you to pass this important legislation.”

National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Patrick Yoes, National President: “The Fraternal Order of Police strongly recommends legislation that would provide an immediate and permanent extension to ensure that illicit fentanyl and any analogues remain on Schedule I. Without granting the DEA the authority to permanently classify fentanyl analogues as they become available, our communities and American lives remain in jeopardy.”

Coalition of 11 Law Enforcement Organizations: “We, the undersigned organizations, representing a significant portion of the nation’s federal, state, and local law enforcement community, write to express our strong support for the HALT Fentanyl Act and urge the House to advance this critical legislation without delay or modification. Fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances continue to drive a devastating public health crisis. According to the DEA’s 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment, fentanyl remains the primary cause of the ongoing epidemic of drug poisoning deaths in the United States, with synthetic opioids accounting for 68 percent (74,225) of all drug poisoning deaths in 2022. It is in recognition of realities of the opioid crisis that Congress has passed numerous extensions of DEA’s original 2018 temporary scheduling authority—an authority which is set to once again expire on March 31, 2025. Rather than another last-minute extension, it is time for Congress to confront the crisis head on and provide DEA with permanent scheduling authority for fentanyl related substances.”

Comprehensive list of stakeholders supporting H.R. 27: 

Heritage Action for America, AMAC Action, Center for Urban Renewal in Education, Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), National Alliance of State Drug Enforcement Agencies (NASDEA), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), National HIDTA Directors Association (NHDA), National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC), National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA), and Sergeants Benevolent Association NYPD (SBA).

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