The House will vote TODAY to extend a Trump DOJ policy that increases the application of severe mandatory minimum penalties for #fentanyl-related substances. The bill is cosponsored by @FrankPallone, a top House Democrat in charge of federal health policy. https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20210419/BILLS-117hr2630-SUSv1.pdf

The last time this Trump-era policy was extended by Congress was 15 mths ago. House Dem leaders said then they wouldn’t extend this again, but seek public health alternatives to #fentanyl-related substances instead. 15 mths have gone by & @FrankPallone & @SpeakerPelosi punted.

Instead of pursuing a public health approach to #fentanyl, @FrankPallone & @SpeakerPelosi are choosing to value what the DEA wants over what the civil rights, criminal legal reform and public health communities are urging- which is to let this Trump-era policy expire in May 6th.

Advocates have pointed to public health bills for months that would apply evidence-based approaches to reducing overdose deaths and other harms from #fentanyl-related substances. But @FrankPallone & @SpeakerPelosi are choosing to prioritize DEA demands and a war on drugs agenda.

This decision by @FrankPallone & @SpeakerPelosi to move this Trump policy is shameful. It is repeating the mistakes of the past, as w/ crack. This won’t mitigate public health harms, it will only increase harm. Black & Brown communities will once again be targeted by enforcement.

The Senate will be next to act, and this could come today as well. While the bill before the House isn’t a permanent extension of this Trump-era #fentanyl policy, it’s still a vote in favor of mandatory minimums and worsening racial disparities in the criminal legal system.