WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Jim Justice released a statement following his cosponsoring of the Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act of 2025. Introduced yesterday bySenator John Kennedy (R-LA):
“Stopping the flow of fentanyl into West Virginia and around the country is critical in order to save lives. President Trump’s executive order to close our border and stop the flow of fentanyl into the US was a strong first step, this bill is an important next step. I am proud to cosponsor this bill, and will continue to work every day to protect Americans and West Virginians from fentanyl,” said Senator Jim Justice.
BACKGROUND:
- Currently, it would take 400 grams of fentanyl—enough to kill roughly 200,000 people—to trigger a 10-year mandatory minimum prison sentence. This is inconsistent with fentanyl’s capacity to end lives.
- In addition to lowering these thresholds for sentencing fentanyl dealers, the bill would improve the U.S. Postal Service’s ability to screen and intercept fentanyl and other substances imported into the U.S.
- Fentanyl is the leading cause of death among Americans ages 18-45.
- In fiscal year 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized 21,889 pounds of fentanyl, enough to kill more than 4.9 billion people (assuming a lethal dose of two milligrams)—or enough to wipe out the entire U.S. population more than 14 times over.
- As Governor, Senator Justice effectively worked to reduce overdose deaths from fentanyl and other drugs in West Virginia.
- In addition to Senator Justice, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Katie Britt (R-AL) cosponsored the bill.
The full bill text is available here.