House passes bill to increase penalties for fentanyl-related drugs, despite Democratic opposition.

The House passed the HALT Fentanyl Act, a GOP-sponsored bill that permanently classifies fentanyl-like substances as Schedule I drugs, with support from 74 Democrats. The legislation aims to curb overdose deaths and protect Americans by giving law enforcement the tools needed to fight those drugs. However, the majority of House Democrats opposed the measure, exposing intraparty fault lines. Democrats and public health experts expressed concern that the bill promotes mass incarceration over prevention, treatment, and recovery programs.