Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 747

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Passed House

Latest Action

2025-09-03: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Last Updated

2026-07-11T11:53:23Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act of 2025" aims to combat the spread of synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, by targeting Chinese producers, manufacturers, and officials. It seeks to impose sanctions on entities and individuals involved in opioid trafficking and precursors (chemicals used to make opioids), while urging greater cooperation from the Chinese government to prevent such activities.

Key Provisions

• Sense of Congress (Non-Binding Recommendation): Expresses that the Chinese government should collaborate with the U.S. by identifying unregulated chemicals for scrutiny, enforcing proper labeling on chemical shipments per international standards, implementing "know-your-customer" rules (procedures to verify buyers' identities and prevent misuse), and directing its agencies—like the National Narcotics Control Commission, Ministry of Public Security, General Administration of Customs, and National Medical Products Administration—to create and enforce stricter rules against precursor chemical trafficking.

• Amendments to the Fentanyl Sanctions Act (21 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.):
• Expands the definition of a "foreign opioid trafficker" to explicitly include:
• Chinese entities that produce, distribute, or finance opioid precursors or related goods without taking steps like know-your-customer checks or cooperating with U.S. anti-drug efforts.
• Senior Chinese government officials or political figures with regulatory or law enforcement roles who knowingly allow or enable opioid trafficking through inaction.
• Requires the President to consider whether heads of key Chinese agencies qualify as opioid traffickers when identifying targets for sanctions.
• Extends the timeframe for periodic identifications of traffickers from 5 years to 10 years.

• Amendments to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA, 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) and Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA):
• Mandates annual written evaluations by the President on the effectiveness of emergency powers used for national emergencies related to international drug trafficking (those declared in the last 5 years and still active). These reports must go to specific congressional committees (e.g., House Foreign Affairs, Senate Banking), assess stakeholder views, and suggest improvements.
• Updates consultation requirements to direct reports to these committees instead of general Congress.
• Requires regulations issued under IEEPA for drug-related emergencies to include cost-benefit analyses, criteria for ending the emergency, and explanations of how they address the crisis.

• Exception for Imports: Sanctions under this Act cannot block or penalize the importation of goods (defined as any physical articles, substances, or products, excluding technical data like information or software).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Broadens Sanctions Targets: Previously, the Fentanyl Sanctions Act focused generally on foreign opioid traffickers; this adds specific provisions naming Chinese entities and officials, making it easier to apply sanctions without proving direct involvement in trafficking.
• Enhances Oversight of Emergency Powers: IEEPA and TWEA previously allowed broad presidential authority for economic sanctions during emergencies with minimal structured reporting; now, it introduces mandatory annual evaluations, targeted congressional notifications, and regulatory requirements like cost-benefit reviews to ensure accountability and focus on resolution.
• Extends Monitoring Period: Changes the review cycle for trafficker identifications from 5 to 10 years, allowing longer-term tracking.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: U.S. executive branch agencies (e.g., Departments of State, Treasury, Justice) will face increased administrative burdens for sanctions implementation, evaluations, and reporting to Congress, potentially requiring more resources for monitoring Chinese activities.
• On Citizens: Could reduce the flow of fentanyl precursors into the U.S., helping address the opioid crisis and saving lives by curbing overdose deaths; however, it may indirectly affect global chemical supply chains, potentially raising costs for legitimate industries.
• On International Relations: Likely to heighten tensions with China, pressuring its government to act but risking retaliatory measures or strained diplomatic ties; promotes U.S.-China cooperation on narcotics while signaling accountability for inaction.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Government: Congress (via oversight committees) and the executive branch (President and agencies handling sanctions and emergencies).
• Chinese Government and Entities: Officials in regulatory agencies, chemical manufacturers, and exporters of precursors, who could face asset freezes, travel bans, or business restrictions.
• U.S. Citizens and Public Health: Individuals impacted by the opioid epidemic, including victims, families, and healthcare providers.
• Private Sector: International chemical and pharmaceutical companies, especially those trading with China, due to heightened scrutiny and compliance requirements.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens the legal framework for targeted sanctions by clarifying definitions and exceptions, reducing ambiguity in applying economic penalties; the import exception prevents broad trade disruptions while focusing on financial and personal sanctions.
• Constitutional: Balances executive emergency powers (under IEEPA) with congressional oversight through required reports and evaluations, addressing separation-of-powers concerns by ensuring Congress's role in reviewing ongoing national emergencies related to drug threats.
• Political: Reflects a bipartisan U.S. priority on the fentanyl crisis, with a focus on China as a key source, potentially influencing foreign policy and trade negotiations; the "sense of Congress" provision signals diplomatic intent without mandating action.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6]

Cosponsors (9)

Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4]

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-03: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
• 2025-09-02: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2025-09-02: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 407 - 4 (Roll no. 220). (text: CR H3728-3729) (Roll call 220)
• 2025-09-02: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 407 - 4 (Roll no. 220). (Roll call 220)
• 2025-09-02: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3741-3742)
• 2025-09-02: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
• 2025-09-02: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 747.
• 2025-09-02: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3728-3731)
• 2025-09-02: Mr. Baumgartner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
• 2025-04-09: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.
• 2025-04-09: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-03-21: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-19, Part I.
• 2025-03-21: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-19, Part I.
• 2025-03-05: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 49 - 0.
• 2025-03-05: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Bill Versions

• Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-02 — PDF (10 pages)
• Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-28 — PDF (8 pages)
• Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-03 — PDF (8 pages)