John Kennedy (R-LA)· Introduced February 6, 2025

Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act of 2025

S. 477 · Senate bill Crime and Law Enforcement

A Republican bill with 5 Republican cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors

Last activity February 6, 2025 — 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 Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act of 2025'' seeks to modify offenses related to fentanyl by amending the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act. These amendments change specific weight thresholds for certain offenses and include the term scheduled or unscheduled'' before ``analogue of.'' The bill also directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and amend guidelines to ensure consistency with these changes. Additionally, it directs the Postmaster General to increase the availability of chemical screening devices and personnel to interpret data. Finally, the act authorizes $9,000,000 to support these interdiction efforts within the United States Postal Service.

Yes

Scored +6
Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths?
The bill increases interdiction of fentanyl and synthetic opioids through new screening devices and personnel.
Scored +4
Does this tighten control of the border?
The bill strengthens the interdiction of illegally imported narcotics through the postal system.
Scored +2
Would people in cities be better off under this?
Increased drug interdiction may reduce the flow of narcotics into urban areas.

The opposite

Scored -7
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?
The bill significantly lowers weight thresholds for drug offenses, which will lead to harsher sentences for those possessing smaller amounts.
Scored -3
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The reduction in sentencing thresholds for drug offenses may disproportionately affect lower-income individuals caught in the justice system.
Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes $9,000,000 in new spending for the United States Postal Service.

Who it would affect, and how

Potential Positive Impacts for People

Increased Interdiction Capabilities: The Postmaster General is directed to increase the number of chemical screening devices and make additional devices available to help interdict fentanyl, synthetic opioids, and other narcotics (Section 5(b)(1)).
Improved Data Interpretation: The bill requires the Postmaster General to dedicate personnel, including scientists, to interpret data from chemical screening devices during all operational hours (Section 5(b)(2)).
Resource Allocation for Safety: There is an authorization of $9,000,000 to provide the United States Postal Service with resources, such as devices and personnel, to prevent and detect the unlawful importation of various substances (Section 5(c)).

Potential Negative Impacts for People

Changes to Sentencing Thresholds: The bill amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act by significantly lowering the weight thresholds for certain offenses (Section 2 and Section 3). For example, in the Controlled Substances Act, a threshold of 400'' is struck and replaced with 20,'' and 100'' is replaced with 5'' (Section 2(1)). Similarly, in the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act, a threshold of 40'' is replaced with 2'' and 10'' is replaced with 0.5'' (Section 3(1)).

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 increases interdiction of fentanyl and synthetic opioids through new screening devices and personnel.
Social Issues And Justice: Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill strengthens the interdiction of illegally imported narcotics through the postal system. Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — The bill significantly lowers weight thresholds for drug offenses, which will lead to harsher sentences for those possessing smaller amounts.
Demographic And Interest Groups: Would people in cities be better off under this? — Increased drug interdiction may reduce the flow of narcotics into urban areas. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The reduction in sentencing thresholds for drug offenses may disproportionately affect lower-income individuals caught in the justice system.
Economy And Finance: Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes $9,000,000 in new spending for the United States Postal Service.