Austin News

U.S. Senator John Cornyn announced the Senate's approval of the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act, a measure aimed at permanently classifying fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs before their temporary status expires at the end of March.

"This legislation is essential to stopping the flow of illicit fentanyl that has infiltrated our nation like a thief in the night and taken hundreds of thousands of innocent lives," stated Sen. Cornyn. He urged his colleagues in the House to act swiftly and send it to President Trump’s desk, expressing gratitude towards Attorney General Bondi and Senate colleagues for their efforts against the fentanyl crisis.

Fentanyl, already a controlled substance under U.S. law, has been circumvented by drug manufacturers through slight chemical modifications, creating fentanyl-related substances that are equally potent. These substances contribute significantly to drug overdose deaths nationwide, with nearly 70% attributed to fentanyl-related overdoses.

The Drug Enforcement Administration temporarily restricted all fentanyl-related substances in 2018 under President Trump's administration. Since then, Congress has repeatedly extended this order. The HALT Fentanyl Act seeks to make this classification permanent before its expiration on March 31, 2025.

The legislation was passed by a bipartisan vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 27, 2025. It has received endorsements from Attorney General Pam Bondi and President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget.

The HALT Fentanyl Act aims to amend existing laws to classify illicit fentanyl knockoffs as Schedule I drugs while protecting access to FDA-approved medical uses directed by physicians. It also supports law enforcement efforts against illegal manufacturers and traffickers while promoting scientific research into these substances.

The bill is backed by over 40 major advocacy groups, including a coalition representing families affected by fentanyl.