Sixteen Senate Democrats voted against classifying fentanyl as a Schedule 1 controlled substance last week, opposing the HALT Fentanyl Act, which ultimately passed the Senate with an 84-16 vote. The lone independent voting against the bill was Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who often aligns with left-wing Democrats on spending and criminal justice issues.
The senators who voted “nay” were Angela Alsobrooks (MD), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE), Cory Booker (NJ), Tammy Duckworth (IL), Mazie Hirono (HI), Ed Markey (MA), Jeff Merkley (OR), Chris Murphy (CT), Alex Padilla (CA), Bernie Sanders (VT), Adam Schiff (CA), Chris Van Hollen (MD), Raphael Warnock (GA), Elizabeth Warren (MA), Peter Welch (VT), and Ron Wyden (OR).
The bill, sponsored by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and co-sponsored by over 30 senators, classifies fentanyl and its copycat versions as Schedule 1 narcotics, increasing penalties for trafficking and distribution. Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) stated that the legislation “gives law enforcement a critical tool to go after the criminals bringing this poison into our country and selling it on our streets.”
Fentanyl is one of the deadliest illicit drugs, being 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. A lethal dose is as little as 2 milligrams, or about 10 to 15 grains of table salt, according to Texas health officials. The synthetic opioid has been responsible for tens of thousands of overdose deaths in the U.S. in recent years.
PBS reports that the bill also includes provisions to facilitate research on fentanyl’s effects. Despite bipartisan support, the opposition argued that strict classifications could hinder medical research and treatment options for opioid addiction.
