H.R.172 - Defund Heroin Injection Centers Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.172, the "Defund Heroin Injection Centers Act of 2025," aims to prohibit federal funding for any entity (state, local, tribal, or private) that operates or controls an injection center in violation of the Controlled Substances Act, specifically section 416 (the "Crack House Statute"). The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Ms. Malliotakis and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The Act seeks to prevent federal tax dollars from supporting facilities where illegal drug use occurs.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would restrict the flow of federal funds to any entity operating injection centers that violate federal drug laws. This could lead to the closure of such centers or force them to seek alternative funding sources. It may also impact states and localities that have chosen to permit or regulate these facilities.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced federal spending on facilities that facilitate illegal drug use.
- Potential reduction in crime and drug-related problems in communities hosting injection centers.
- Reinforcement of federal drug laws and discouragement of activities that violate those laws.
- May incentivize individuals struggling with addiction to seek treatment rather than using injection centers.
- Could prevent the normalization or acceptance of illegal drug use.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential harm to individuals who rely on injection centers for harm reduction services, such as clean needles and medical supervision.
- Increased risk of overdose deaths and the spread of infectious diseases if injection centers are closed.
- May strain relationships between the federal government and states or localities that support injection centers as a public health strategy.
- Could lead to increased costs for emergency medical services and law enforcement if injection centers are no longer available.
- May disproportionately impact vulnerable populations who rely on these services.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment is primarily related to the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce and to control federal spending (Article I, Section 8). The Controlled Substances Act, under which injection centers are deemed unlawful, is based on the Commerce Clause. Congress has broad authority to set conditions on how federal funds are spent, so long as those conditions are clearly stated and related to a legitimate federal interest. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, and this bill could be seen as an intrusion into state authority regarding public health and safety. However, the federal government can use its spending power to encourage states to comply with federal law.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).