Democrat Lawmakers Reject Effort to Hold Fentanyl Traffickers Accountable

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assembly Democrats once again sided with cartels and drug traffickers to block an effort to fight the fentanyl epidemic and hold dealers accountable.

“Alexandra’s Law” would require convicted fentanyl traffickers to receive a warning that fentanyl can kill and if they continue selling the drug and cause a death, they could face homicide charges. Assembly Constitutional Amendment 12, which would put Alexandra’s Law before the voters, has been stalled by Democrats in the Assembly Rules Committee since its introduction. A Republican motion to withdraw ACA 12 from the Rules Committee for consideration by the full Assembly was rejected on a party-line vote. 

“It’s been clear for months that we need to make ending the fentanyl epidemic a priority for all Californians,” said Assemblymember Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach), who authored ACA 12. “I am greatly disappointed that today’s motion to bring ACA 12 to the Floor failed because the Democrat Supermajority refused to act. This is a matter of life and death – we need to send a message that poisoning our communities is not acceptable.”

“People are dying and Democrats are dragging their feet,” said Assemblyman Joe Patterson (R-Rocklin), an ACA 12 co-author. “Fighting fentanyl is one of the most pressing issues facing our state. It’s time to impose real consequences for the dealers who profit off selling poison.” 

“Holding fentanyl dealers accountable for the harm they cause is just common sense – it shouldn’t be a partisan issue,” said Assemblyman Juan Alanis (R-Modesto), who also co-authored ACA 12. “We need to put politics aside and work together to fight fentanyl and save lives.” 

The roll call on the motion to advance ACA 12 is available here.

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