Dear Friends,

An important piece of legislation I have been pushing for to address the fentanyl crisis is the HALT Fentanyl Act, and it recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The fentanyl crisis is one of the worst public health crises our country faces. Inaction is not an option. Analysis by the Washington Post found that fentanyl is the top cause of death for Americans 18 to 49 years old. In Kentucky, more than 70% of overdose deaths in 2021 involved illicit fentanyl.

I have been working to permanently ban the entire class of fentanyl-related substances, also known as fentanyl analogues, as a Schedule l substance. I’m pleased to report that the HALT Fentanyl Act passed through my committee, the Energy and Commerce Committee, and the House of Representatives. This bill is now with the Senate, and I encourage my Senate colleagues to pass this bill quickly.

Rep. Guthrie speaking on the House floor in support of the HALT Fentanyl Act

Illicit fentanyl analogues can be deadlier than illicit fentanyl. Right now, these substances are only temporarily scheduled as a class-wide substance. If the temporary scheduling expires, then:

• Many fentanyl analogues will essentially become street legal
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection would lose their authority to seize these illicit substances
• Bad actors would be incentivized to simply change a molecule of fentanyl to skirt around the law

These substances must be permanently banned as a class-wide substance now. This is the Drug Enforcement Administration’s top legislative priority.

I will continue to push for the HALT Fentanyl Act to become law. I believe the fentanyl crisis must be addressed using a law enforcement and substance use recovery strategy. I am working to ensure that wrap-around, coordinated treatment and recovery support services are available for people who want to address their opioid use disorder. I reintroduced the Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers Reauthorization Act to do this, and I’m working to reauthorize recovery support programs that expire this year.

CDC Failures

This week I continued to hold the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) accountable. The CDC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic created a crisis in confidence with the agency. The CDC consistently issued guidance that lacked clarity and the best available science. It was even more unacceptable that the CDC’s guidance at times reflected the agency’s preferred policy outcomes or political considerations. In examining missteps at the CDC, my goal is to restore public trust and ensure the CDC is operating at its core mission without political influence.

Rep. Guthrie joining the dedication of 1813 Freedom Park, which is in honor of veterans and troops, and meeting with local officials and community members on local issues

Rep. Guthrie at the grand opening ceremony of Charles Black City Park in Butler County and meeting with local officials and community members

Rep. Guthrie meeting with a constituent with the Digital Therapeutics Alliance on legislation that impacts access to therapeutics

Rep. Guthrie meeting with the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities on the workforce crisis in health care

Rep. Guthrie meeting with the Home Builders Association of Kentucky on energy and workforce development policy

How Can I Help?

My office and I are happy to help you. My constituent services team can help provide assistance with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies. Please click HERE or call 270-842-9896 or 202-225-3501 to contact my office.