House BillHR 747Civil actions and liabilitySanctions
Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act of 2025
INTRO JAN 28· LAST ACTION SEP 3
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
9
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
One chamber only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 4 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it directly addresses the ongoing fentanyl crisis in the United States, which is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths annually. By expanding the U.S. government's ability to sanction Chinese entities and officials, it aims to cut off the supply of illicit fentanyl and its ingredients at the source. If this bill becomes law, the U.S. would have more tools to target those responsible for manufacturing and trafficking fentanyl, potentially disrupting the supply chain and reducing the availability of the drug.
Without this bill, the U.S. government's specific authority to sanction Chinese entities and officials for fentanyl trafficking would be less explicit and robust. The bill also enhances transparency and accountability by requiring more frequent and detailed reports from the President to Congress on the effectiveness of emergency powers used to combat drug trafficking, ensuring that these significant powers are reviewed and potentially adjusted. This could lead to more strategic and effective use of sanctions against international drug networks.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Expands the definition of "foreign opioid trafficker" to specifically include Chinese entities involved in producing or distributing synthetic opioids or their precursors, as well as senior Chinese officials who aid in trafficking through action or inaction.
This provision directly targets the source of illicit fentanyl by allowing the U.S. to impose financial penalties and travel bans on specific Chinese companies and government officials.
PROVISION 02
Requires the President to provide annual evaluations to Congress on the effectiveness of emergency powers used to combat international drug trafficking, including public and private sector input.
This increases transparency and congressional oversight over the President's use of significant emergency powers, ensuring they are regularly reviewed for effectiveness.
PROVISION 03
Mandates that when issuing regulations under emergency powers for drug trafficking, the President must consider costs and benefits, explain how the regulations will resolve the emergency, and establish criteria for ending the emergency.
This ensures a more strategic, accountable, and goal-oriented approach to using emergency powers to tackle drug trafficking.
PROVISION 04
Specifies that the bill's sanction authorities do not include the power to impose sanctions on the general importation of goods.
This limits the scope of potential sanctions to avoid broad economic disruptions, focusing penalties specifically on those involved in drug trafficking rather than impacting general trade.
PROVISION 05
Extends the reporting requirement for the President to identify foreign opioid traffickers from every 5 years to every 10 years.
This provision means that the list of identified traffickers will be updated less frequently, potentially reducing the timeliness of enforcement actions.
This bill matters because it directly addresses the ongoing fentanyl crisis in the United States, which is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths annually. By expanding the U.S. government's ability to sanction Chinese entities and officials, it aims to cut off the supply of illicit fentanyl and its ingredients at the source. If this bill becomes law, the U.S. would have more tools to target those responsible for manufacturing and trafficking fentanyl, potentially disrupting the supply chain and reducing the availability of the drug.
Without this bill, the U.S. government's specific authority to sanction Chinese entities and officials for fentanyl trafficking would be less explicit and robust. The bill also enhances transparency and accountability by requiring more frequent and detailed reports from the President to Congress on the effectiveness of emergency powers used to combat drug trafficking, ensuring that these significant powers are reviewed and potentially adjusted. This could lead to more strategic and effective use of sanctions against international drug networks.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Expands the definition of "foreign opioid trafficker" to specifically include Chinese entities involved in producing or distributing synthetic opioids or their precursors, as well as senior Chinese officials who aid in trafficking through action or inaction.
This provision directly targets the source of illicit fentanyl by allowing the U.S. to impose financial penalties and travel bans on specific Chinese companies and government officials.
med
Requires the President to provide annual evaluations to Congress on the effectiveness of emergency powers used to combat international drug trafficking, including public and private sector input.
This increases transparency and congressional oversight over the President's use of significant emergency powers, ensuring they are regularly reviewed for effectiveness.
med
Mandates that when issuing regulations under emergency powers for drug trafficking, the President must consider costs and benefits, explain how the regulations will resolve the emergency, and establish criteria for ending the emergency.
This ensures a more strategic, accountable, and goal-oriented approach to using emergency powers to tackle drug trafficking.
high
Specifies that the bill's sanction authorities do not include the power to impose sanctions on the general importation of goods.
This limits the scope of potential sanctions to avoid broad economic disruptions, focusing penalties specifically on those involved in drug trafficking rather than impacting general trade.
low
Extends the reporting requirement for the President to identify foreign opioid traffickers from every 5 years to every 10 years.
This provision means that the list of identified traffickers will be updated less frequently, potentially reducing the timeliness of enforcement actions.
President must transmit annual periodic evaluations to appropriate congressional committees if emergency authority is exercised regarding international drug trafficking.
Every 10 years
Reporting requirement for identifying foreign opioid traffickers under the Fentanyl Sanctions Act.
Sanctions (including asset freezes, prohibitions on transactions, travel bans)
Chinese entities (companies, manufacturers, distributors, financiers, transporters of synthetic opioids or precursors) and senior Chinese government or political officials who aid and abet opioid trafficking.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Synthetic Opioids
Human-made opioid drugs, like fentanyl, that are chemically similar to natural opiates but are much stronger and often illicitly produced.
Precursor Chemicals
Chemical substances that are used as raw materials in the production or manufacturing of another chemical, such as illicit drugs like fentanyl.
Sanctions
Penalties imposed by one country on another, or on specific individuals or entities, often involving financial restrictions, asset freezes, or travel bans, intended to pressure them into changing their behavior.
Know-Your-Customer Procedures
Rules or processes that businesses follow to verify the identity of their clients and assess their risk, typically used in banking and finance, but here applied to chemical shipments to prevent illicit use.
Sense of Congress
A formal statement of opinion or belief adopted by one or both chambers of Congress that does not have the force of law but expresses the legislative body's viewpoint or recommendation.
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)
A U.S. law that grants the President the authority to regulate international commerce after declaring a national emergency in response to an unusual and extraordinary threat to the U.S.
ACTION TIMELINE
16 EVENTS
SEP 3, 25
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
INTROREFERRAL
SEP 2, 25
Mr. Baumgartner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
FLOOR
SEP 2, 25
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3728-3731)
FLOOR
SEP 2, 25
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 747.
The illegal trade, distribution, and movement of opioid drugs, including synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Aid and Abet
To assist or encourage someone in committing a crime, often by providing help, support, or even through intentional inaction that allows the crime to occur.
