All Roll Calls
Yes: 571 • No: 147
S331119th Congress
HALT Fentanyl Act
Sponsored By: Senator Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Became Law
Summary
Permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I and aligns their penalties with fentanyl analogues while creating faster, clearer rules for legitimate Schedule I research.
Show full summary
- People who make, sell, or possess fentanyl-related substances face the same quantity-based penalties as fentanyl analogues. Possession or trafficking of 100 grams or more triggers a 10-year mandatory minimum.
- Researchers and institutions get an expedited, alternative registration pathway for Schedule I studies, with electronic notices, a 45-day deadline for action on certain applications, and a 90-day allowance to continue work when a substance is newly scheduled.
- Related research sites in the same city or county can use a single registration, new inspections can be waived in some cases, and registered researchers may perform small-scale manufacturing for research without a separate manufacturing registration. The Attorney General must publicly list substances that meet the definition and an Inspector General study of the special research procedures is due within one year.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Stronger control and penalties on fentanyl-like drugs
The law makes any material with a fentanyl‑related substance a Schedule I drug, unless exempt or listed elsewhere. The Attorney General may publish a list, but a drug is controlled even if not listed if it fits the definition. Criminal and import/export penalties now also cover fentanyl‑related substances. These changes take effect on enactment.
Faster, simpler research on fentanyl substances
Registered Schedule I or II researchers can start 30 days after sending notice to the Attorney General. If not registered, the Attorney General must register you or issue an order within 45 days. If a drug is newly scheduled, you may keep working if you file a complete application within 90 days. One registration can cover multiple sites in the same city or county, and authorized staff may work under it with notice. Registered researchers can do small, research‑only manufacturing like extracts and dosage forms; growing marijuana is not allowed. DEA must post any special research process online, and rules are due in 6 months and may take effect at once.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
LA • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
IA • R
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
KS • R
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
IN • R
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
MT • R
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Mike Rounds
SD • R
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Shelley Capito
WV • R
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]
MO • R
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
LA • R
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]
AZ • D
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
NV • D
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
ME • I
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]
AZ • D
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
TX • R
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]
MO • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
SC • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
TX • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Katie Britt
AL • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
TN • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
UT • R
Sponsored 2/3/2025
Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL]
FL • R
Sponsored 2/11/2025
Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA]
PA • R
Sponsored 3/6/2025
Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
ME • R
Sponsored 3/6/2025
Dan Sullivan
AK • R
Sponsored 3/6/2025
Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV]
WV • R
Sponsored 3/6/2025
Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]
NE • R
Sponsored 3/6/2025
Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
IA • R
Sponsored 3/10/2025
Cindy Hyde-Smith
MS • R
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 6/12/2025
On Passage
Yes: 321 • No: 104
senate vote • 3/14/2025
On Passage of the Bill S. 331
Yes: 84 • No: 16
senate vote • 3/13/2025
On the Cloture Motion S. 331
Yes: 84 • No: 15
senate vote • 3/6/2025
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed S. 331
Yes: 82 • No: 12