'Stopping the flow of fentanyl into West Virginia and around the country is critical in order to save lives. President Trump’s executive order to close our border and stop the flow of fentanyl into the US was a strong first step, this bill is an important next step. I am proud to cosponsor this bill, and will continue to work every day to protect Americans and West Virginians from fentanyl.'
Work to protect Americans and West Virginians from fentanyl, including by supporting legislation to strengthen penalties on fentanyl dealers.
Occurrences
Evidence
Senator Jim Justice released a statement following Senate passage of the bipartisan Halt Lethal Trafficking (HALT) Fentanyl Act, saying he was 'very proud to join Senator Cassidy on this common-sense bill' that would 'empower law enforcement to punish traffickers' and 'keep deadly drugs off our streets.'
Senators Jim Justice and Ben Ray Lujan introduced the Strengthening Sanctions on Fentanyl Traffickers Act, which would prioritize sanctions on China-based persons and entities involved in fentanyl trafficking and mandate continued sanctions against cartels engaged in fentanyl trafficking.
On passage of S. 331, as amended, the Senate recorded Vote Number 127 on March 14, 2025. The measure passed 84-16, and Justice (R-WV) is listed as voting Yea.
Public Law 119-26 is the HALT All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act. It amends the Controlled Substances Act with respect to the scheduling of fentanyl-related substances.
S. 331 was introduced as a bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act with respect to the scheduling of fentanyl-related substances. Section 1 cites the short title as the HALT Fentanyl Act.
Assessments
Justice supported and voted for S. 331, the HALT Fentanyl Act, during his current Senate term, and the measure was enacted as Public Law 119-26 in July 2025. The law addresses fentanyl-related substances under the Controlled Substances Act and supports enforcement against fentanyl traffickers, matching the promise to support legislation strengthening penalties or legal tools against fentanyl dealers. His separate bipartisan sanctions bill further supports material same-term effort, but the enacted HALT Fentanyl Act is sufficient for delivery.
Justice promised to work on fentanyl policy, specifically by supporting legislation to strengthen penalties on fentanyl dealers. In his Senate term, he publicly backed the HALT Fentanyl Act, describing it as empowering law enforcement to punish traffickers, and the bill passed the Senate. He also introduced bipartisan legislation targeting fentanyl trafficking networks through sanctions. Because the promise was framed as working and supporting legislation rather than guaranteeing final enactment into law, these same-term legislative actions satisfy the commitment.