This bill dramatically lowers the amount of fentanyl that triggers mandatory minimum sentences, reducing high-level thresholds from 400 grams to 20 grams and low-level thresholds from 40 grams to 2 grams. It also increases postal screening for fentanyl.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill dramatically lowers the amount of fentanyl that triggers mandatory minimum sentences, reducing high-level thresholds from 400 grams to 20 grams and low-level thresholds from 40 grams to 2 grams. It also increases postal screening for fentanyl.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill modifies the drug quantity thresholds that trigger a mandatory minimum prison term for a defendant who manufactures, distributes, imports, exports, or possesses with intent to distribute fentanyl.</p><p>Specifically, the bill reduces from 400 to 20 grams the fentanyl quantity and from 100 to 5 grams the fentanyl analogue quantity that trigger a mandatory minimum prison term for high-level first-time or repeat offenders. It also reduces from 40 to 2 grams the fentanyl quantity and from 10 to 0.5 grams the fentanyl analogue quantity that trigger a mandatory minimum prison term for low-level first-time or repeat offenders.</p><p>Additionally, the bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to increase the availability of chemical screening devices and dedicate the appropriate number of personnel to interdict fentanyl and other substances that are unlawfully imported into the United States.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Reduces fentanyl quantity for mandatory minimums by 95 percent
High-level threshold drops from 400 to 20 grams
Low-level threshold drops from 40 to 2 grams
Similar reductions for fentanyl analogues
Increases postal service screening capacity
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Far smaller quantities of fentanyl would trigger harsh mandatory prison sentences, reflecting the drugs extreme lethality. Even small amounts can cause multiple overdose deaths, so supporters say current thresholds are dangerously high.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Crime and Law Enforcement
Related Subjects
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Postal service
Trade restrictions
U.S. Sentencing Commission
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
477, 119th Congress (2025). "Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-477