CBW Fentanyl Act

This legislation updates a 1991 law so the U.S. must punish foreign governments when their officials use or support chemical or biological programs that harm other countries. When credible information appears, the President has 60 days to decide if an official committed such an act; if yes, first penalties must start within 30 days. If the problem isn’t fixed, stronger steps follow around 120 days and again at 210 days .

Early steps pause all U.S.–country science partnerships, stop sensitive chemical/biological exports, and bar U.S. government purchases from companies in that country’s chemical or biological industries. If needed, the U.S. can cut most aid (not urgent relief, food, or farm goods), block more exports like defense items, and finally block money transfers and other deals in the U.S. that involve that government. Penalties can end after at least a year if the country addresses the harm, shares information, compensates victims, and works to prevent it from happening again. The President can waive penalties for up to 180 days if vital to U.S. security, but that waiver power ends five years after enactment .

• Who is affected:

  • Foreign governments whose officials carry out harmful chemical or biological actions.
  • U.S. researchers and universities with partnerships in those countries.
  • U.S. exporters and government contractors tied to chemical/biological goods.
  • Banks and businesses that process payments involving those governments .

• What changes:

  • Fast, required U.S. response with escalating penalties.
  • Paused research ties, tighter export controls, limits on U.S. government purchasing, possible aid cuts, and blocked transactions; humanitarian aid is protected .

• When:

  • Decision within 60 days; first steps within 30 days; added steps at 120 and 210 days; penalties can end after 1 year if conditions are met; 180-day waivers allowed, with waiver authority ending after 5 years .