Casten Votes Against H.R. 467, Calls for Comprehensive Legislation to Address the Opioid Crisis
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten released the following statement after voting against H.R. 467, the HALT Fentanyl Act:
“In 2022, over 109,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses. There is no question that our nation faces an opioid epidemic, and we must take immediate steps to make sure those who suffer from addiction get the treatment and rehabilitation they need. When the House considers legislation that focuses on research, prevention, treatment, recovery, or harm reduction related to the fentanyl crisis, I will support that legislation.
“Unfortunately, the HALT Fentanyl does none of that. Rather than giving people the treatment they need, this legislation spends money to put them into prisons, wasting finite resources without ever addressing the root cause. Research shows harsher prison terms–like those imposed by this bill–do not reduce drug use, but disproportionately imprison communities of color.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues to develop smarter, patient-focused solutions to the opioid epidemic and hope that the passage of this bill, in spite of my vote today, doesn't preclude the desperate need for a more thoughtful and evidence-based approach."
Rep. Casten has previously co-sponsored and voted for legislation that addresses the opioid epidemic, such as the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act, the Synthetic Opioid Danger Awareness Act, and the STRIP Act.
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