Fentanyl is a WMD Act

House Bill

H.R. 128

119th Congress

Fentanyl is a WMD Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 9, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Lauren Opal Boebert

Representative

Republican

CO-4

Cosponsors

9

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Emergency Management

Summary

This bill requires the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office within the Department of Homeland Security to treat illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. By classifying fentanyl alongside chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, the legislation would enable DHS to deploy additional resources and capabilities typically reserved for WMD threats to combat fentanyl trafficking. This reflects the scale of fentanyl-related deaths, which have exceeded 70,000 annually in recent years.

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill requires the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office within the Department of Homeland Security to treat illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. By classifying fentanyl alongside chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, the legislation would enable DHS to deploy additional resources and capabilities typically reserved for WMD threats to combat fentanyl trafficking. This reflects the scale of fentanyl-related deaths, which have exceeded 70,000 annually in recent years.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Fentanyl is a WMD ActThis bill requires the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office of the Department of Homeland Security to treat illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Classifies illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction
Directs DHS Countering WMD Office to treat fentanyl accordingly
Enables deployment of WMD-level resources against fentanyl
Responds to scale of fentanyl overdose deaths in America
Elevates fentanyl threat to same level as CBRN threats

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

For DHS: New mandate to apply WMD countermeasures to fentanyl. For border security: Enhanced detection and interdiction resources. For drug traffickers: Potentially harsher treatment under WMD frameworks. For public health officials: Recognition of fentanyl crisis severity. For law enforcement: Access to specialized WMD response capabilities.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Emergency Management

Related Subjects

Chemical and biological weapons

Drug, alcohol, tobacco use

Law enforcement administration and funding

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

128, 119th Congress (2025). "Fentanyl is a WMD Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-128