House Republicans pass fentanyl bill with Democratic support
Lawmakers rallied around the HALT Fentanyl Act on Thursday, successfully passing legislation in the House to classify the opioid as a Schedule I controlled substance in an effort to solidify harsher punishments for using or selling the drug.
Republicans asserted their majority to usher in the new bill with a 312-108 vote, earning significant support from Democrats.
Ninety-eight Democrats voted in favor of the new measure signaling an increase from the House ballots tallied after previous consideration of a similar act in the 118th Congress.
Under the proposed classification, offenses involving 100 grams or more trigger a 10-year mandatory minimum prison term.
“The Halt Fentanyl Act builds on President Trump’s efforts … to secure our border, southern and northern borders, and keep illicit drugs out,” Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Wednesday during a press conference. “Republicans are taking decisive, strong, and immediate action to rid American communities of this poison.”
However, some Democrats have taken issue with the bill, citing concerns with excessive prison sentences that could disproportionately impact minority communities.
Some members of Congress, including Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), have argued that the HALT Fentanyl Act doesn’t provide additional resources to health officials and law enforcement to detect or intercept illicit drugs at legal ports of entry.
“The majority … believe the best way out of this crisis is through incarceration, which simply is not a viable or effective strategy,” DeGette said during a Rules Committee meeting Tuesday night.
-
GOP seeks to corner Democrats with fentanyl bill
House Republicans are moving quickly to pass legislation that would result in harsher sentences for people convicted of fentanyl-related offenses, putting pressure on Democrats who were divided on ...The Hill - 19h -
Democrats slam Trump's 'insane' Gaza plan as supportive Republicans await details
Democrats are outraged over Trump's Gaza plan -- calling it everything from "horrifying" to "ethnic cleansing," while Republicans were supportive, but short on details.ABC News - 1d -
House Republicans pass 'born-alive' abortion bill
House Republicans on Thursday passed their version of a “born-alive” abortion bill one day after Democrats blocked the Senate version from advancing. The bill requires health care practitioners to ...The Hill - Jan. 23 -
Amid raging fires, House passes contentious forestry bill
The House on Thursday passed legislation that supporters say will improve how the nation manages its forests to prevent fires but opponents argue will undercut environmental safeguards. The ...The Hill - Jan. 23 -
House passes Laken Riley Act, sending immigration bill to Trump's desk
The Laken Riley Act, aimed at clamping down on people in the U.S. illegally who commit nonviolent crimes like theft, is expected to be the first bill President Donald Trump signs into law.NBC News - Jan. 22 -
House Passes Bill to Deport Immigrants Convicted of Violence Against Women
Scores of Democrats joined Republicans in approving the measure, even though existing law already allows immigrants with contested legal status who are convicted of sex crimes to be deported.The New York Times - Jan. 16 -
House passes bill to ban transgender student-athletes from women's sports
The House passed legislation that would ban transgender athletes from participating in women’s and girls’ sports at schools and institutions receiving federal funds.NBC News - Jan. 14 -
These 2 Democrats voted for House Republicans' bill to bar transgender athletes from girls sports
Reps. Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar, both of Texas, were the only Democrats to side with Republicans on Tuesday to pass legislation meant to bar transgender athletes from competing in girls ...The Hill - Jan. 14 -
House Passes Bill to Impose Sanctions on I.C.C. Officials for Israeli Prosecutions
The action put the measure on track for likely enactment given strong support for it among Republicans, who now control the Senate, and President-elect Donald J. Trump.The New York Times - Jan. 9
More from The Hill
-
RNC Chair says there may be ramifications if Republicans don't support Trump's agenda: 'I would not be surprised'
Republican National Committee (RNC) chair Michael Whatley said during an interview there may be ramifications for Republican lawmakers if they do not support President Trump’s legislative agenda. ...The Hill - 1h -
Democrats denied access to EPA during attempt to meet with DOGE officials
A group of Congressional Democrats said they were denied entry to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after attempting to meet with Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) officials and ...The Hill - 2h -
Trump removes Democratic FEC commissioner 'effective immediately’
President Trump dismissed Federal Election Commission Chair Ellen Weintraub from service on Friday following in his series of firings from various government agencies. “Received a letter from ...The Hill - 3h -
UNC system removes DEI course requirements following Trump orders
Public colleges in North Carolina must remove all course credit requirements linked to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) following President Trump’s executive order signed last month. The UNC ...The Hill - 4h -
DOJ appeals block of birthright citizenship executive order
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has appealed a federal judge's order indefinitely blocking President Trump's executive order that would restrict birthright citizenship. In a short notice Thursday ...The Hill - 4h
More in Politics
-
Protest held at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles after gender-affirming care pause announced
Supporters protested outside Children’s Hospital Los Angeles after it announced it would pause gender-affirming care for new patients under the age of 19. The hospital said the decision resulted ...NBC News - 1h -
RNC Chair says there may be ramifications if Republicans don't support Trump's agenda: 'I would not be surprised'
Republican National Committee (RNC) chair Michael Whatley said during an interview there may be ramifications for Republican lawmakers if they do not support President Trump’s legislative agenda. ...The Hill - 1h -
'Country is declaring war on them': Trans athletes weigh in on Trump's sports ban
President Donald Trump signed an executive order attempting to exclude transgender girls and women from participating in female sports or using women's bathrooms. Journalist Karleigh Webb and ...NBC News - 1h -
Democrats denied access to EPA during attempt to meet with DOGE officials
A group of Congressional Democrats said they were denied entry to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after attempting to meet with Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) officials and ...The Hill - 2h -
Guatemalan president agrees to accept migrants during meeting with Secretary Rubio
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo says that his country will accept migrants from other countries during a meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. NBC News' Julia Ainsley spoke to ...NBC News - 2h