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119-hr-3065119th Congress

Felony Murder for Deadly Fentanyl Distribution Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Gonzales, Tony [R-TX-23]

Introduced

Summary

Would create a federal first-degree murder offense for distributing fentanyl that causes death and allow punishment by death or life imprisonment. It would tie the crime to specific quantity thresholds and require that the distributor knew or had reason to know the substance contained fentanyl or a fentanyl analogue.

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  • People who distribute fentanyl: Individuals who distribute a mixture containing at least 2 grams of fentanyl or 0.5 grams of a fentanyl analogue that results in death and who know or should know the substance contains fentanyl would be eligible for federal first-degree murder charges and penalties of death or life in prison.
  • Families of overdose victims: Gives federal prosecutors a new legal path to seek the most severe punishments when a qualifying fentanyl distribution causes a death.
  • Federal criminal process: Would amend 18 U.S.C. 1111 and cross reference the Controlled Substances Act for terms like "distribute." It sets causation and knowledge as elements and does not create new agencies or funding.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

First-degree murder for fatal fentanyl distribution

If enacted, the bill would treat certain deadly fentanyl distribution as first-degree murder. It would apply when someone distributes 2 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture, or 0.5 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue mixture, and a person dies from using it. The distributor would need to know, or have reason to know, the drug contained fentanyl or an analogue. A person convicted under this rule could face death or life in prison. Key terms would match the Controlled Substances Act, and the change would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Gonzales, Tony [R-TX-23]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 4/29/2025

  • Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 4/29/2025

  • Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 5/1/2025

  • Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 5/15/2025

  • Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 6/26/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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