Democrats Block Grassley Push to Immediately Extend Schedule I Status for Fentanyl
As fentanyl continues killing thousands of Americans every year, the authority designating it as a Schedule I drug expires March 11
WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Chuck Grassley
(R-Iowa) urged his colleagues to immediately maintain the authority designating
fentanyl-related substances as a Schedule I drug. Fentanyl – and illicit drugs
containing fentanyl – have poisoned streets in cities across the country. Just
one kilogram of fentanyl can kill 500,000 people, making it 100 times more
potent than morphine, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Fentanyl is now the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 45 – surpassing vehicle accidents, cancer
and suicide.
Last night, Pres. Joe Biden urged
Congress to limit the supply of illicit drugs and tackle the opioid crisis in
his State of the Union address. Despite this – and the dangerous and deadly
consequences posed by fentanyl – today Senate Democrats rejected Grassley’s
effort to maintain fentanyl’s Schedule I status before it expires next Friday,
March 11. Democrats supported previous extensions of the same authority five
times in the past four years.
“I’ve received calls from families of
people who have overdosed on fentanyl. I’ve received calls from law
enforcement. For the last 10 months, they’ve been in terror that this authority
will disappear – that thousands more may die from fentanyl overdoses,” Grassley said. “For years, I’ve been
leading the fight to extend this authority in hopes of finding a permanent
solution. I’ve urged Leader Schumer to support measures that extend fentanyl
scheduling as long as possible. I’ve asked President Biden to engage with
bipartisan congressional leaders on a permanent solution. And I’ve even
requested that Chairman Durbin hold a hearing on this issue in the Judiciary
Committee. All of these requests have gone unanswered and ignored. Scheduling
fentanyl analogues matters. It can save lives.”
DEA placed fentanyl analogues in Schedule
I in 2018. Since then, Congress has extended this authority five times,
including with unanimous support in 2020. Grassley concluded by calling on his
colleagues to work with him on finding a bipartisan solution for a permanent
extension.
Below are Grassley’s floor remarks, as
prepared for delivery:
Today’s vote on this bill, as amended,
should be a YES for every member of the Senate. This measure extends the
lifesaving authority placing fentanyl drugs in Schedule I. In fact, a 15-month
extension of this authority, similar to the bill I offer today, passed the Senate
unanimously in 2020.
In case you’ve not read the headlines for
the past few years, fentanyl and its analogues are killing tens of thousands
Americans each year and are now the number one cause of death for Americans
ages 18 to 45.
DEA placed fentanyl analogues in Schedule
I in 2018.
Congress has already extended this
authority five times in four years. Now we’re on the verge of extending it for
the sixth time before it expires on March 11.
During the Biden administration, these
reauthorizations have gotten shorter and shorter. The periods of extension have
been as short as a few weeks. This has created constant doubt about whether
fentanyl scheduling will continue.
I’ve received calls from families of
people who have overdosed on fentanyl.
I’ve received calls from law enforcement.
For the last 10 months, they’ve been in
terror that this authority will disappear – that thousands more may die from a
fentanyl overdoses.
We’ve extended fentanyl scheduling five
times in four years, but four have been in the last 10 months alone. While
extensions preserve lifesaving authority, this kind of legislating by extension
is neither sustainable nor reflective of the gravity of keeping fentanyl drugs
in Schedule I.
A permanent scheduling solution is the
best answer. But unfortunately, a permanent scheduling action isn’t feasible
right now.
Why?
Because some members of Congress don’t
support keeping fentanyl analogues in Schedule I – or at all. Some reject our
criminal drug laws altogether. Fortunately, this is a fringe opinion and not
representative of the majority of Congress.
Republicans and Democrats alike have
voiced support for permanently scheduling fentanyl analogues, including
President Biden. But until Congress agrees on a bipartisan and permanent
solution, we must maintain the authority by extension.
For years, I’ve been leading the fight to
extend this authority in hopes of finding a permanent solution.
I’ve urged Leader Schumer to support
measures that extend fentanyl scheduling as long as possible.
I’ve asked President Biden to engage with
bipartisan congressional leaders on a permanent solution.
And I’ve even requested that Chairman
Durbin hold a hearing on this issue in the Judiciary Committee.
All of these requests have gone
unanswered and ignored.
Scheduling fentanyl analogues matters. It
can save lives.
Congress has the power and responsibility
to act, so we must.
But we can’t make meaningful, bipartisan
change unless we have enough time to do so. So let’s pass a long-term extension
and finally find a permanent solution.
***
Grassley’s remarks following an objection
to advancing the extension by Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.)
I’m disappointed that my bill to extend
fentanyl scheduling by 14 months cannot proceed. But I won’t back down from
trying to extend this authority in a meaningful and long-term way.
There’s more than one way to advance this
bill. Today’s vote is just one of those ways. Like history shows us, this
authority can be included in funding legislation or move as a bipartisan,
unanimous bill. I’ll fight for its inclusion in the upcoming omnibus, and urge
my colleagues to support it.