WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 11, 2023) – Today, U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (TN-02) reintroduced the Fentanyl Trafficker Elimination Act. This bill holds fentanyl smugglers accountable for their role in the United States’ opioid epidemic. U.S. Representatives Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Michael Guest (MS-03) Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Josh Brecheen (OK-06), Don Bacon (NE-02), Pat Fallon (TX-04), and Ralph Norman (SC-05) joined Rep. Burchett’s legislation as original cosponsors. 

“There are people dying left and right due to fentanyl overdoses, and lots of them are kids or teenagers.” Rep. Burchett said. “We have got to stop this epidemic and I think that making an example out of drug traffickers would be a good start.” 

The Fentanyl Trafficker Elimination Act would increase criminal penalties for trafficking illegal fentanyl in the United States. Under Rep. Burchett’s legislation, anyone convicted of intentionally trafficking fentanyl or fentanyl analogues would be sentenced to life in prison. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 57,834 fentanyl-related deaths occurred in fiscal year 2020 and more than 71,238 fentanyl related deaths occurred in fiscal year 2021. The CDC also reported that fentanyl and fentanyl analogues are responsible for a majority of drug overdose deaths. Additionally, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents seized 11,201 of illegal fentanyl along the southern border in fiscal year 2021 and 14,700 pounds in fiscal year 2022.