S. 331 Became law · Public Law 119-26 Crime and Law Enforcement

Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act

A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act with respect to the scheduling of fentanyl-related substances, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Passed House
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA] Introduced January 30, 2025 Cosponsors 31 (24 R, 6 D, 1 I) Latest action July 16, 2025

Summary

Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act or the HALT Fentanyl Act
This act permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act.
Under the act, offenses involving fentanyl-related substances are triggered by the same quantity thresholds and subject to the same penalties as offenses involving fentanyl analogues (e.g., offenses involving 100 grams or more trigger a 10-year mandatory minimum prison term).
Additionally, the act establishes a new, alternative registration process for certain schedule I research.
The act also makes several other changes to registration requirements for conducting research with controlled substances, including
- permitting a single registration for related research sites in certain circumstances,
- waiving the requirement for a new inspection in certain situations, and
- allowing a registered researcher to perform certain manufacturing activities with small quantities of a substance without obtaining a manufacturing registration.
Finally, the act expresses the sense that Congress agrees with the interpretation of the Controlled Substances Act in United States v. McCray, a 2018 case decided by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. In that case, the court held that butyryl fentanyl, a controlled substance, can be considered an analogue of fentanyl even though, under the Controlled Substances Act, the term controlled substance analogue specifically excludes a controlled substance.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Roll-call votes

Actions

  1. Jul 16, 2025 Became Public Law No: 119-26.
  2. Jul 16, 2025 Signed by President.
  3. Jul 8, 2025 Presented to President.
  4. Jun 12, 2025 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  5. Jun 12, 2025 On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 321 - 104 (Roll no. 166). (text: 6/11/2025 CR H2625-2627)
  6. Jun 12, 2025 Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 321 - 104 (Roll no. 166). (text: 6/11/2025 CR H2625-2627)
  7. Jun 12, 2025 Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2806)
  8. Jun 11, 2025 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on S. 331, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Pallone demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  9. Jun 11, 2025 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  10. Jun 11, 2025 DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on S. 331.
  11. Jun 11, 2025 Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 884, H.R. 2056, H.R. 2096 and S. 331. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 884, H.R. 2056, H.R. 2096, and S. 331 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate for each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 884, H.R. 2056, and H.R. 2096, and one motion to commit on S. 331.
  12. Jun 11, 2025 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 489. (consideration: CR H2625-2633)

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