Kennedy introduces bill to protect communities by cracking down on fentanyl trafficking

Contact Your Elected Officials

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today introduced the Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act of 2023 to crack down on fentanyl trafficking by lowering the threshold required for minimum sentencing in light of the drug’s potency relative to other substances.

The current mandatory minimum threshold does not reflect the substance’s capacity to end lives. For reference, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) states that a mere two milligrams of fentanyl—which can fit on the tip of a pencil—can kill a person. As a result, a lower quantity of fentanyl should trigger a mandatory minimum sentence.

“Fentanyl is 50 times more powerful than heroin. It’s killing Americans, and the justice system needs to make sure that the criminals who are blanketing our communities with fentanyl get sentenced appropriately. The Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act would bring justice to the Louisiana families who have lost loved ones to this scourge,” said Kennedy.

Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) cosponsored the legislation.

“Current federal mandatory minimums are drastically out of step with the deadly threat fentanyl poses to American lives. Fentanyl-related overdoses kill 70,000 Americans each year and cause a new 9/11 every two weeks. I’m glad to work with my colleagues on this legislation. We know that even a miniscule amount of fentanyl can be lethal. It’s time the federal code treat fentanyl for what it is: a weapon of mass destruction,” said Graham. 

“Fentanyl kills over 70,000 Americans each year and is more powerful than most other drugs, but federal sentences for fentanyl trafficking don’t currently reflect its immense threat. We should strengthen these penalties and ensure fentanyl traffickers face the consequences of their crimes,” said Cotton.

“Fentanyl is stealing lives and devastating families in every corner of Alabama and America. This crisis is infiltrating our schools and our communities, and it is past time that we hold the criminals profiting off of this poison accountable. This legislation is an important part of comprehensively addressing the supply of and demand for fentanyl in our country, so we can keep our children safe and our future strong,”said Britt.

Current mandatory minimum sentences for fentanyl trafficking only apply when a trafficker possesses 40 grams or more of fentanyl or 10 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue. The Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act of 2023 would reduce the threshold of possession for minimum prison sentences to two grams of fentanyl or 0.5 grams of a fentanyl analogue.

Background:

  • Fentanyl is now the leading cause of death among Americans ages 18-45.
  • The CDC states that deaths from fentanyl and fentanyl analogues increased 56% from 2019-2020. According to data, that number is expected to increase for 2021. 
  • Last year, the DEA seized enough fentanyl to kill 379 million people—more than the entire U.S. population.

Full text of the bill is available here.

The Thinking Conservative
The Thinking Conservativehttps://www.thethinkingconservative.com/
The goal of THE THINKING CONSERVATIVE is to help us educate ourselves on conservative topics of importance to our freedom and our pursuit of happiness. We do this by sharing conservative opinions on all kinds of subjects, from all types of people, and all kinds of media, in a way that will challenge our perceptions and help us to make educated choices.

Doxed Democrats Are Getting Fired Left and Left

Not a misprint because a title of “left and...

Hold Up, Feds, Without Federalism, There Is No USA

Federalism is essential to governing the U.S., yet the federal government is undermining it by bribing states to implement unnecessary federal programs.

A Widow Inspires The World

Erika Kirk moved the nation with her speech two days after her husband’s assassination, vowing to continue his mission and grow Turning Point USA.

Both Left and Right Are Making Lists

The right admired Charlie Kirk for his faith and patriotism, while the left opposed him for dismantling their positions and narratives with ease.

Redemption’s playbook: The Senior

The Senior isn’t your usual underdog tale, it’s real, it’s raw, and it flips every cliché on its head with a playbook full of grit and plenty of aftermaths.

Actor Sean Astin, Known for ‘Rudy,’ ‘Lord of the Rings,’ Elected SAG-AFTRA President

Oscar-nominated actor Sean Astin, famed for Samwise in “Lord of the Rings,” has been elected as the new president of SAG-AFTRA.

RFK Jr. Names New Members to CDC Vaccine Advisory Panel

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. named 5 new members to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which advises the CDC on vaccines.

Thousands Honor Charlie Kirk at DC Prayer Vigil

Thousands of people came together to remember Charlie Kirk and offer tearful tributes at the John F. Kennedy Center on Sunday.

Charlie Kirk Assassination Suspect Under ‘Special Watch’ in Custody: Sheriff’s Office

Suspected assassin of Charlie Kirk is on “special watch” in custody and held separately, the Utah Sheriff’s Office spokesperson confirmed.

Trump Signs Memo Targeting Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising

President Trump signed a memo to ensure drug ads give fair, balanced, and complete information to protect and inform American consumers.

Trump Runs out of Patience With China, Sharpens His Words

President Donald Trump’s recent remarks targeting China and its allies mark a noticeable shift in tone.

Trump Signs Order Renaming Department of Defense as Department of War

President Donald Trump on Sept. 5 signed an executive order renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War.

Trump Signs Executive Order Targeting Countries That Unlawfully Detain Americans

President Trump signed an EO on targeting the unlawful detention of American citizens around the world and to facilitate the release of hostages.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central