The HALT Fentanyl Act Repeats Mistakes of the Past

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rachel Hooper, [email protected]

WASHINGTON – Jesselyn McCurdy, executive vice president for government affairs at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, released the following statement regarding the House passage of H.R. 467, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking (HALT) of Fentanyl Act:

 “We are deeply disappointed by the tragic repeat of enforcement-first policies with today’s House vote on H.R. 467. The Leadership Conference previously called on lawmakers to oppose any legislation that would extend the classwide scheduling of fentanyl-related substances. While we share lawmakers’ concerns about fentanyl-related deaths and support effective health-based approaches to mitigating this public health crisis, there is no indication that overly punitive sentences or mass incarceration can deter crime, protect public safety, or decrease drug use or trafficking. The mandatory minimums in this bill place more power in the hands of prosecutors and their charging decisions, which is particularly concerning given that prosecutors are more likely to charge Black and Brown people with a crime that carries a mandatory minimum.

“We strongly urge the Senate to reject this flawed legislation. Instead of doubling down on failed, discriminatory policies of the past, we must take bold new steps to transform our criminal-legal system into one that delivers true justice and equality.”

Read The Leadership Conference’s letter in opposition to H.R. 467, the HALT Fentanyl Act, here.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 220 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org. 

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