Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that illicit fentanyl-related substances are a weapon of mass destruction and should be classified as such, and recognizing President Trump’s efforts to mitigate illicit narcotics from entering the United States through such actions as signing an Executive Order Designating Fentanyl as a Weapon of Mass Destruction and declaring the crisis caused by the rise of fentanyl a national health emergency.
Summary
This House Resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that illicit fentanyl-related substances should be classified as weapons of mass destruction. It also recognizes President Trump's prior efforts to address the fentanyl crisis, including designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction and declaring a national health emergency. The resolution urges the President to classify synthetic illicit fentanyl-related substances as weapons of mass destruction and to permanently place illicit fentanyl in schedule I.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this resolution could lead to increased federal resources and attention being directed towards combating the fentanyl crisis. It may also result in stricter penalties for those involved in the trafficking of fentanyl-related substances. However, the practical impact of a House Resolution is limited, as it primarily expresses the opinion of the House and does not have the force of law.
Potential Benefits
- Heightened awareness of the dangers of fentanyl.
- Potential for increased resources to combat fentanyl trafficking.
- Stricter penalties for fentanyl traffickers.
- Improved coordination among federal agencies.
- Potential reduction in overdose deaths.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential over-criminalization of drug offenses.
- Strain on law enforcement and the justice system.
- Possible unintended consequences for legitimate uses of fentanyl analogs.
- Focus on law enforcement rather than treatment and prevention.
- Potential for civil rights violations due to expanded enforcement powers.
Constitutional Alignment
The resolution itself does not directly violate the Constitution, as it is a non-binding expression of the House's opinion. However, the implementation of policies stemming from this resolution, such as classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, could raise constitutional concerns. For example, expanded law enforcement powers could potentially infringe upon Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. Additionally, the classification of fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction could potentially invoke the Insurrection Act, which could raise concerns about the balance of power between the federal government and the states (Tenth Amendment).
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).