A Republican bill with 5 Republican cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The PRESS Act aims to amend the Controlled Substances Act to stop the importation of illegal pill press machines used to make counterfeit substances. It targets the manufacture or distribution of equipment like tableting machines, encapsulating machines, and press punches. This applies to anyone who intends or knows the items will be used to make controlled substances or listed chemicals. It also applies to those who believe these items will be unlawfully imported into the United States. The bill also updates sentencing guidelines and penalties for these violations.
Yes
- Scored +7
Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths?
The bill aims to disrupt the production of counterfeit substances by targeting the machinery used to manufacture them.
- Scored +1
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend federal sentencing guidelines.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?
The bill increases criminal penalties and mandates reviews of sentencing guidelines to include longer prison terms for equipment distribution.
- Scored -2
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill imposes stricter criminal penalties and sentencing guidelines on those involved in the manufacturing and distribution of specific equipment.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Prevention of Counterfeit Substance Production: By making it unlawful to manufacture or distribute equipment like tableting machines, encapsulating machines, or press punches with the intent to make controlled substances, the bill aims to prevent the creation of these items (Section 2(a)).
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Increased Penalties for Illegal Equipment Distribution: The bill establishes specific prison terms for violating these rules, such as up to 8 years for distributing prohibited equipment (Section 2(b)).
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Stricter Sentencing for Large Scale Violations: For violations involving more than 1,000 kilograms of a chemical or more than 100 machines, the bill allows for prison terms of not more than 15 years (Section 2(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Criminal Penalties: Individuals involved in the manufacture or distribution of specific equipment may face significant prison time, such as up to 8 years or up to 15 years depending on the scale of the violation (Section 2(b)).
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Expanded Scope of Prohibited Acts: The law includes those who have "reasonable cause to believe" that equipment or materials will be unlawfully imported, which creates a standard based on belief or cause rather than just direct intent (Section 2(a)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — The bill aims to disrupt the production of counterfeit substances by targeting the machinery used to manufacture them.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — The bill increases criminal penalties and mandates reviews of sentencing guidelines to include longer prison terms for equipment distribution.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would union members be better off under this? — The bill imposes stricter criminal penalties and sentencing guidelines on those involved in the manufacturing and distribution of specific equipment.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend federal sentencing guidelines.
- 6/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/17/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/11/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Chuck GrassleyRepublican · Iowa
John KennedyRepublican · Louisiana
Pete RickettsRepublican · Nebraska
Rick ScottRepublican · Florida