Slotkin-backed fentanyl crackdown bill signed into law
The recent defense authorization package included the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, which is aimed at disrupting synthetic opioid supply chains.
The U.S. Senate passed a national security spending bill on April 23 by a vote of 79-18, days after it was approved by the House of Representatives. Included in the new law is a bipartisan plan to crack down on supply chains of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids that was co-sponsored by Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin.
Slotkin has long championed the Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act, a bill designed to keep fentanyl and other illicit drugs out of the country. It contains provisions to require the federal government to impose economic sanctions against criminal organizations and drug cartels involved in trafficking, designate international fentanyl trafficking as a national emergency, and authorize a Treasury Department crackdown on fentanyl-related money launderers.
The Senate had previously passed the fentanyl provisions in its July 2023 defense authorization, but they were stripped out in negotiations with the House. Nine months later, Congress included them in H.R. 815, which also contained defense funding for Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine and humanitarian relief for people in Gaza.
Slotkin celebrated the law’s passage after the Senate vote, telling the Michigan Independent in an emailed statement: “With fentanyl seizures up 70% in Michigan over the past year, it’s critical that we take action to keep this dangerous drug off of our streets. The bipartisan FEND Off Fentanyl Act would combat the spread of fentanyl by imposing sanctions and anti-money laundering penalties at every stage of the supply chain, from manufacturers in China to traffickers in Mexico. We need to stop this drug from wreaking havoc in our communities, so I’m thrilled to see this legislation signed into law as part of the national security supplemental.”
“This critical legislation will make our nation and world more secure,” President Joe Biden said in a statement, before signing the package into law April 24.
In addition to Slotkin, the FEND Off Fentanyl Act was co-sponsored by Democratic Sens. Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow and Republican Rep. John James.
