Dear Representative Stutzman,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our support for H.R. 9937, the “No Leniency for Fentanyl Dealers Act.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 80,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2024—61% of which are attributable to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. The National Institute on Drug Abuse recently found that fentanyl and fentanyl analogs are “the main driver of drug overdose deaths.”
Even though less than one gram of fentanyl can kill, current law states that 400 grams of fentanyl is the required amount to trigger a Federal 10-year mandatory minimum sentence. Since 400 grams of fentanyl is enough to kill over 200,000 people, we believe that this is too high. Your legislation would reduce the amount of fentanyl needed for a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence from 400 grams to 20 grams. It would also lower the 5-year minimum sentence from 40 grams to two grams. These changes would apply to fentanyl analogs as well.
In 2024, I testified in front of the Senate Banking Committee in support of sentencing reform and promised to support legislation that would strengthen the ability of law enforcement to detect, prevent, and disrupt the trafficking of fentanyl and other dangerous synthetic opioids. This legislation does just that, and we will work with you to get it enacted into law.
On behalf of the more than 382,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I thank you for your leadership on this important issue. If I or Executive Director Jim Pasco can be of any further assistance on this issue, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President