Biden delegates sanctions powers for fentanyl and Iran-China energy enforcement

President Joe Biden used a January 17, 2025 memorandum to delegate several sanctions-related presidential powers to cabinet officials. The memo assigned FEND Off Fentanyl Act authorities to the Treasury secretary, the secretary of state, the attorney general, the commerce secretary, and the homeland security secretary, depending on the provision. It also delegated authorities tied to Division G of Public Law 118-50 and the Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act of 2023. The action mattered because Congress had given the president formal sanctions powers, but federal agencies needed delegated authority to turn those powers into enforcement decisions, financial restrictions, and other sanctions actions.