H.Res. 959

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 959 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 959

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that illicit 
fentanyl-related substances are a weapon of mass destruction and should 
be classified as such, and recognizing President Trump's efforts to 
mitigate illicit narcotics from entering the United States through such 
actions as signing an Executive Order ``Designating Fentanyl as a 
Weapon of Mass Destruction'' and declaring the crisis caused by the 
rise of fentanyl a national health emergency.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 18, 2025

Mr. Dunn of Florida (for himself and Mr. Carter of Georgia) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy 
and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a 
period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that illicit 
fentanyl-related substances are a weapon of mass destruction and should 
be classified as such, and recognizing President Trump's efforts to 
mitigate illicit narcotics from entering the United States through such 
actions as signing an Executive Order ``Designating Fentanyl as a 
Weapon of Mass Destruction'' and declaring the crisis caused by the 
rise of fentanyl a national health emergency.

Whereas the term ``fentanyl-related substance'' is defined in section 
1308.11(h)(30)(i) of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, as any 
substance not otherwise listed under another Administration Controlled 
Substance Code Number, and for which no exemption or approval is in 
effect under section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 
U.S.C. 355), that is structurally related to fentanyl by one or more of 
the following modifications, including--

(1) replacement of the phenyl portion of the phenethyl group by any 
monocycle, whether or not further substituted in or on the monocycle;

(2) substitution in or on the phenethyl group with alkyl, alkenyl, 
alkoxyl, hydroxyl, halo, haloalkyl, amino, or nitro groups;

(3) substitution in or on the piperidine ring with alkyl, alkenyl, 
alkoxyl, ester, ether, hydroxyl, halo, haloalkyl, amino, or nitro groups;

(4) replacement of the aniline ring with any aromatic monocycle whether 
or not further substituted in or on the aromatic monocycle; or

(5) replacement of the N-propionyl group by another acyl group;

Whereas China remains the primary source of illicit fentanyl precursors and 
illicit fentanyl-related substances trafficked through international 
mail and into the United States;
Whereas transnational criminal organizations in Mexico are rapidly increasing 
the flow of illicit fentanyl-related substances into the United States 
over the porous Southern United States border;
Whereas India has emerged as a growing supplier of precursor chemicals and 
illicit fentanyl-related substances;
Whereas, in July 2018, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Weapons of Mass 
Destruction Directorate assessed that ``fentanyl is very likely a viable 
option for a chemical weapons attack by extremists or criminals'';
Whereas illicit fentanyl and illicit fentanyl-related substances trafficking 
operations are growing in sophistication according to the Drug 
Enforcement Administration;
Whereas a single kilogram of illicit fentanyl or an illicit fentanyl-related 
substance can kill 500,000 individuals;
Whereas an estimated 71,238 citizens of the United States have lost their lives 
from a synthetic opioid overdose in 2021 according to the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention;
Whereas illicit fentanyl is the leading driver of the United States ongoing 
opioid crisis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention; and
Whereas Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has sent a letter to President 
Biden urging him to classify illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass 
destruction: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
(1) the President should classify synthetic illicit 
fentanyl-related substances as a weapon of mass destruction; 
and
(2) illicit fentanyl, and illicit fentanyl-related 
substances, should be permanently placed in schedule I, as 
defined by section 813 of title 21, United States Code.
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