Review – HR 128 Introduce – Fentanyl as WMD

Last month, Rep Boebert (R,CO) introduced HR 128, the Fentanyl is a WMD Act. The very short bill would direct the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office of the Department of Homeland Security to treat illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. No funding authorization is provided in this legislation.

HR 128 is identical to HR 7190 that was introduced by Boebert in February of last year. No action was taken on that bill.

Moving Forward

While Boebert is not a member of the House Homeland Security Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration, this session one of her eight cosponsors {Rep Ogles (R,TN)} is a member. This means that there may be sufficient influence to see the bill considered in Committee. I would expect there to be significant bipartisan opposition to the bill were it to be considered, but there could be enough votes for the Committee to favorably recommend the bill to the full House.

Commentary

While fentanyl may broadly fall within the scope of the definition of the term ‘weapon of mass destruction’, there is nothing within the current scope or mission of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office that would help the federal government reduce the flow of that drug, or it’s precursors, into this country. Either the sponsors of this bill are unaware of the mission of the CWMD Office, or this legislation is just another bit of political grandstanding. In my opinion, while I would not be surprised at these particular congresscritters being uniformed, I suspect the latter.

 

For more information about the provisions of this bill, including additional commentary on future of the CWMD Office, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/hr-128-introduce - subscription required.

Review - HR 7190 Introduced – Fentanyl as WMD

Earlier this month, Rep Boebert (R,CO) introduced HR 7190, the Fentanyl is a WMD Act. The very short (two sentences) bill would require the DHS Assistant Secretary for the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office to “treat illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction for purposes of title XIX of the Homeland Security Act of 2002” (6 USC 590 et seq). No spending is authorized by this legislation.

Moving Forward

Boebert is not a member of the House Homeland Security Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration, nor are any of her eleven cosponsors. This means that there is likely insufficient influence to see the bill considered in Committee. I would expect there to be significant bipartisan opposition to the bill were it to be considered.

Commentary

While fentanyl may broadly fall within the scope of the definition of the term ‘weapon of mass destruction’, there is nothing within the current scope or mission of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office that would help the federal government reduce the flow of that drug into this country. Either the sponsors of this bill are unaware of the mission of the CWMD Office, or this legislation is just another bit of political grandstanding. In my opinion, while I would not be surprised at these particular congresscritters being uniformed, I suspect the latter.

 

For more details about the CWMD Office and its mission with respect to the provisions of this bill, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/hr-7190-introduced - subscription required.

Bills Introduced – 2-1-24

Yesterday, with both the House and Senate in session (and the House preparing to leave for an extended weekend), there were 62 bills introduced. Four of those bills may receive additional coverage in this blog:

HR 7190 To require the Assistant Secretary for the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office of the Department of Homeland Security to treat illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, and for other purposes. Boebert, Lauren [Rep.-R-CO-3] 

HR 7197 To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out a study on the environmental impacts of artificial intelligence, to require the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to convene a consortium on such environmental impacts, and to require the Director to develop a voluntary reporting system for the reporting of the environmental impacts of artificial intelligence, and for other purposes. Eshoo, Anna G. [Rep.-D-CA-16]

HR 7200 To require the Secretary of Energy to establish a hydrogen infrastructure finance and innovation pilot program, and for other purposes. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [Rep.-R-PA-1]

S 3732 A bill to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out a study on the environmental impacts of artifical intelligence, to require the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to convene a consortium on such environmental impacts, and to require the Director to develop a voluntary reporting system for the reporting of the environmental impacts of artificial intelligence, and for other purposes. Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]

I will be watching HR 7190 for language and definitions that would explain how the designation of fentanyl as a ‘weapon of mass destruction’ would help reduce the prevalence of fentanyl in the United States.

I will be watching HR 7197 and S 3732 for language or definitions that would explain how the crafters believe that there would be any significant environmental effects on the environment (the Terminator movies not withstanding).

I will be watching HR 7200 for language and definitions that would include hydrogen safety and security within the scope of coverage of the bill.

Realistically, I really believe that just HR 7200 has any chance of receiving additional coverage in this blog, and that is iffy at best.