MONTPELIER — Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont was among 16 Senate Democrats who voted against a bipartisan bill targeting fentanyl trafficking, despite his state’s ongoing struggle with opioid overdose deaths.
The HALT Fentanyl Act, which passed the Senate with support from both parties, would permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs and impose stricter penalties on traffickers. The legislation establishes mandatory minimum sentences for those possessing 10 grams or more of fentanyl.
Welch attempted to modify the legislation, offering amendments in the Judiciary Committee that were not adopted. He later proposed an additional amendment on the Senate floor that was not called for a vote by the Republican Majority Leader.
“The rise in fentanyl is hurting communities across the country, and we need comprehensive solutions to address this crisis,” said a spokesperson for Welch. “Unfortunately, Senate Republicans did not advance a comprehensive public health bill, but instead one that will ultimately fail to address this emergency from a public health perspective and limit research into life-saving treatments.”
The senator’s position comes as Vermont continues to battle one of the nation’s most severe opioid crises. State health officials reported 231 overdose deaths in 2023, with fentanyl involved in the vast majority of cases. Despite extensive state-funded harm reduction efforts, including Narcan distribution programs, overdose deaths remain near record levels.
The bill, which requires 10-year minimum sentences for trafficking 100 grams or more of fentanyl, is expected to be signed by President Trump. Supporters argue it targets large-scale dealers rather than individual users, as 10 grams contains approximately 5,000 lethal doses.
