CBW Fentanyl Act
CBW Fentanyl Act
Plain Language Summary
# CBW Fentanyl Act Summary **What it would do:** This bill would authorize the President to impose escalating economic sanctions against foreign countries whose officials knowingly help produce, develop, or distribute fentanyl or chemical/biological weapons that harm the U.S. or other nations. Initial sanctions would restrict the ability of entities from the targeted country to sell chemical or biological products to the U.S. If the country doesn't take corrective action, the sanctions would intensify.
The bill appears specifically aimed at holding China accountable for its government's alleged role in enabling fentanyl production and trafficking. **Who it affects:** The bill would primarily affect the governments and businesses of foreign countries found to be involved in fentanyl production or distribution networks. Indirectly, it could impact American consumers and businesses that rely on imports from sanctioned countries' chemical or biological sectors. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee (S 63, 119th Congress), meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate. It was sponsored by Senator Jim Banks (R-IN).
CRS Official Summary
Countering Beijing’s Weaponization of Fentanyl Act or the CBW Fentanyl ActThis bill establishes escalating sanctions to be applied to a foreign country when certain individuals associated with its government cause harm to another country through actions related to a program to produce, develop, or distribute chemical or biological weapons or specified molecules related to fentanyl production.Specifically, if the President determines that an official, employee, or agent of a foreign governmental entity (including a foreign government or an entity receiving significant material support from a foreign government) acts in a manner that the individual knew, or should have known, would harm another country through actions related to such a program, then the President must impose initial sanctions.Initial sanctions include prohibiting the procurement of goods or services from persons operating in that country's chemical or biological sectors.If the foreign governmental entity does not take corrective actions, the President must impose additional sanctions, which may include terminating certain foreign assistance to the country.If corrective actions are still not taken, the President must prohibit transactions that (1) are subject to U.S. jurisdiction; (2) involve a financial interest of the sanctioned country; and (3) are in foreign commerce or are financial institution transfers or payments.Within five years of enactment, the President may temporarily waive sanctions for vital national security interests. The President must terminate sanctions when certain conditions are met, including that the sanctionable conduct has been addressed.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.