Sponsors (6)
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Amends federal controlled-substances and drug import/export statutes, directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to update sentencing guidelines to match those statutory changes (with emergency authority to act within 120 days), and directs the Postmaster General to expand screening, staffing, and scientific support at the U.S. Postal Service to detect fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics. The bill authorizes $9,000,000 to buy screening devices and fund personnel and scientists to support postal interdiction efforts.
Amend Section 401(b)(1) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841(b)(1)). The section heading identifies the statutory provision being amended, but the excerpt does not show the replacement text.
In subparagraph (A)(vi) — Subpart (A): "by striking and inserting" (the excerpt lists the action but does not show the text to be struck or the text to be inserted).
In subparagraph (A)(vi) — Subpart (B): "by striking and inserting" (the excerpt lists the action but does not show the text to be struck or the text to be inserted).
In subparagraph (A)(vi) — Subpart (C): "by inserting before" (the excerpt lists the placement action but does not show the text being inserted or the reference text before which it is inserted).
In subparagraph (B)(vi) — Subpart (A): "by striking and inserting" (the excerpt lists the action but does not show the text to be struck or the text to be inserted).
Primary direct effects: federal criminal defendants prosecuted under the amended controlled-substances and importation provisions may face different statutory penalty structures or elements once the specific text is implemented; the U.S. Sentencing Commission will adjust guideline ranges and related rules to reflect those statutory changes, which affects federal sentencing outcomes, plea negotiations, and presentence procedures. The U.S. Postal Service will be required to increase screening capacity and staffing; postal operations at international mail-processing centers and distribution hubs will see more detection activity, potential delays, and resource allocation to interdiction. Federal law enforcement, prosecutors, and public defenders must adapt to any changed offense definitions or sentencing ranges; courts and probation officers will apply the updated guidelines. Public-health and community stakeholders addressing opioid supply and overdoses may see impacts from increased interdiction but the magnitude depends on how effective postal screening is at reducing illicit supply. Implementation risks and considerations: because the excerpt lacks the exact statutory text, downstream effects on sentence severity, mandatory minimum applicability, or offense classification cannot be predicted here; administrative challenges include rapid Sentencing Commission action within 120 days, procurement and deployment of screening technology, hiring/training of personnel, and coordination with customs and other federal agencies.
Amends subsection (b) of 21 U.S.C. 960 by modifying paragraph (1)(F) and paragraph (2)(F) through a series of strike-and-insert and insertion operations as described in the section; the excerpt does not supply the resulting replacement text.
Amends 21 U.S.C. 841(b)(1) by striking and inserting language in subparagraphs (A)(vi) and (B)(vi) (including inserting text before specified punctuation). The exact replacement text is not provided in the section excerpt.
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced February 6, 2025 by John Neely Kennedy · Last progress February 6, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in Senate