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Ending the Fentanyl Crisis Act of 2018

Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism. Hearings held.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Apr 9, 2018

Ending the Fentanyl Crisis Act of 2018

This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to modify the drug quantity thresholds that trigger a mandatory minimum prison term for a defendant who manufactures, distributes, imports, exports, or possesses with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Specifically, the bill reduces from 400 to 20 grams the fentanyl quantity and from 100 to 5 grams the fentanyl analogue quantity that trigger a 10-year or 20-year mandatory minimum prison term for high-level first-time or repeat offenders. It also reduces from 40 to 2 grams the fentanyl quantity and from 10 to 0.5 grams the fentanyl analogue quantity that trigger a 5-year or 10-year mandatory minimum prison term for low-level first-time or repeat offenders.

Additionally, the bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to increase the availability of chemical screening devices and dedicate the appropriate number of personnel to interdict fentanyl and other substances that are unlawfully imported into the United States.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA] · R–LA

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
6 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism. Hearings held.

  2. Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

  3. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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