WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation cosponsored by Congressman Bruce Westerman to protect Americans from deadly fentanyl.

H.R. 467, the HALT Fentanyl Act will:

• Make the temporary class-wide scheduling order for fentanyl related substances permanent.

• Supply law enforcement with the tools and resources needed to keep extremely lethal and dangerous drugs off our streets.

• Support research on fentanyl-related substances so we can better understand its overall effects on people’s health.

“Illicit fentanyl is pouring through our southern border at unprecedented rates. Fentanyl doesn’t care if you’re a Republican, Democrat, or Independent. It’s a lethal substance that is plaguing our communities and killing more Americans than ever before,” Congressman Bruce Westerman said. “That’s why I cosponsored the HALT Fentanyl Act – it will ensure our law enforcement officers have the tools to keep illicit fentanyl off the streets and away from our younger generations. The passage of this bill is an important step in the right direction in protecting our nation from this epidemic that has already claimed far too many lives.”