Grieving parents slam Dems for opposing bipartisan fentanyl bill using claims parroted by Soros-backed group

Democrats Face Backlash Over Opposition to Fentanyl Legislation

Democrats in Congress are under growing criticism for their opposition to the HALT Fentanyl Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at permanently classifying fentanyl analogs as Schedule I substances under U.S. drug laws. The legislation seeks to close loopholes exploited by fentanyl traffickers, but Democrats, including Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, have raised concerns that the bill could exacerbate mass incarceration and hinder research into opioid treatments. These arguments align with those of a George Soros-backed nonprofit, the Drug Policy Alliance, which opposes the bill on similar grounds. However, families who have lost loved ones to fentanyl overdoses are urging Congress to act, calling the delays in passing the bill a disservice to the thousands of lives lost to the opioid crisis.

Democratic Opposition and the Debate Over Consequences

Sen. Cory Booker and other Democratic lawmakers argue that the HALT Fentanyl Act would impose harsher penalties for drug offenses and disproportionately affect minority communities, drawing comparisons to the devastating impact of crack cocaine laws during the War on Drugs. Booker has also emphasized the need for a more comprehensive approach to the fentanyl crisis, asserting that scheduling alone is insufficient. He and other Democrats, such as Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Ed Markey of Massachusetts, have introduced amendments and procedural delays to slow the bill’s progress. However, critics argue that these tactics are obstructing a critical measure to combat the escalating overdose epidemic.

Families of Fentanyl Victims Urge Congress to Act

Parents who have lost children to fentanyl overdoses are speaking out against the delay in passing the HALT Fentanyl Act. In emotional letters to lawmakers, they plead for permanent scheduling of fentanyl analogs to help curb the crisis. Jaime Puerta, who lost his son Daniel in 2020, wrote to Sen. Booker, urging him to stop "kicking the can down the road" and warned that further inaction would only embolden drug cartels and traffickers. Lauri Badura, who lost her child in 2014, expressed similar frustration, questioning how Congress could hope to address the broader issue of illicit fentanyl if it cannot pass this bill. These families argue that their loved ones did not want to die and that Congress must take decisive action to prevent more tragedies.

Soros-Backed Nonprofit and the Debate Over Research

The Drug Policy Alliance, a nonprofit funded by George Soros, has emerged as a key voice against the HALT Fentanyl Act. The organization claims that permanently classifying fentanyl analogs as Schedule I substances would block research into potential overdose treatments and lead to increased incarceration rates. However, experts like Keith Humphreys, a former White House drug policy adviser, disagree. Humphreys argues that the bill is unlikely to significantly impact incarceration rates, as fentanyl analogs are already illegal, and the market is much smaller than during the crack cocaine epidemic. He also notes that while Schedule I substances can be harder to study, it is "not impossible" to conduct research, and the bill includes provisions to streamline the process for scientists.

Bipartisan Support and the Push for Action

Despite Democratic opposition, the HALT Fentanyl Act has garnered significant bipartisan support. Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana and one of the bill’s sponsors, emphasized the need for permanent scheduling to combat the opioid crisis and go after traffickers. He warned that Congress’ inaction only emboldens criminal organizations like drug cartels and China, which are major sources of illicit fentanyl. Cassidy and other supporters argue that the bill would provide law enforcement with the tools they need to address the crisis while also addressing concerns about research by simplifying the process for scientists to study fentanyl analogs.

The Broader Implications of the Fentanyl Crisis

The debate over the HALT Fentanyl Act reflects the broader challenges in addressing the fentanyl crisis, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in recent years. While Democrats like Booker call for a more comprehensive approach, including measures to address the root causes of addiction and expand access to treatment, supporters of the bill argue that action cannot wait. As the temporary scheduling of fentanyl analogs nears expiration, the stakes are higher than ever. For families who have lost loved ones, the failure to act is a devastating reminder of Congress’ inability to rise to the challenge. The outcome of this debate will have far-reaching implications for public health, law enforcement, and the communities devastated by the opioid epidemic.