Republican Fentanyl Crackdown Puts Biden, Democrats in Bind (1)

House Republicans passed legislation Thursday giving the government the power to make synthetic fentanyl knockoffs illegal permanently, adding fuel to the debate over criminal penalties for drug possession.

Conservatives boast they have at least nominal support from the White House and Democrats on the legislation (H.R. 467). That’s a sign, Republicans say, of the need and popularity of bolstering law enforcement efforts to curb illicit drugs in the US.

“This is an issue that should be uniting Americans across the board,” said Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), head of the influential GOP Doctors Caucus who is also pushing for ...