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Senate adopts resolution urging Congress to treat illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction
Summary
The Ohio Senate on Feb. 25 adopted a concurrent resolution urging the U.S. Congress to pass legislation similar to the Stop Our Scourge Act of 2023 to direct the secretary of homeland security to designate illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction; the measure passed unanimously, 32-0.
The Ohio Senate on Feb. 25 adopted a concurrent resolution urging the U.S. Congress to introduce and pass legislation similar to the Stop Our Scourge Act of 2023 that would direct the secretary of homeland security to designate illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.
Senator Johnson, who introduced the concurrent resolution, told colleagues illicit fentanyl is a “lethal killer” and described international precursor supply chains he said enable distribution into the United States. He urged media and federal officials to “give this illicit fentanyl the respect that it deserves.”
The resolution cites national overdose figures and urges federal action to treat illicit fentanyl as a threat on the scale of other mass-destructive agents. The clerk then called the roll; the resolution passed with 32 yays and 0 nays.
Supporters said designating illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction would highlight the scale of overdose deaths and push federal coordination and enforcement. The sponsor framed the measure as a step to increase public attention and federal action; the resolution itself does not change state enforcement or create new penalties.
The measure, identified in the chamber as Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 1, will be placed on the journal and transmitted as a formal state resolution urging action by Congress.
Roll-call and adoption were recorded on the Senate journal. With the vote concluded, the chamber moved on to other business.
