WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), alongside several of his colleagues, reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. This legislation would crack down on the deadly fentanyl additive xylazine by listing xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance while protecting the drug’s legal use by veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers. This legislation previously passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support.

Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” is an easily accessible veterinary tranquilizer that is being used as a low-cost cutting agent for fentanyl. The bipartisan legislation would schedule this dangerous drug and give law enforcement the tools they need to go after traffickers while protecting access for veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers who use xylazine to treat large animals. The bill is endorsed by 39 state attorneys general, major law enforcement organizations, and veterinary organizations.

The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act would:

· Schedule xylazine as Schedule III illicit substance under the Controlled Substances Act; 

· Ensure veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers can still use the drug for its intended purpose by creating a clear definition of “ultimate user” – someone lawfully permitted to possess a controlled substance for legitimate use;

· Enable the DEA to track its manufacturing to ensure it is not diverted to the illicit market; and

· Require a report on prevalence, risks, and recommendations regarding xylazine.

“Our country is facing a drug epidemic that has devasted families and communities across America. We must crack down on deadly drugs being flooded into our communities, especially given that drug traffickers are turning to Xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer, to make drugs more addictive—and more deadly,” said Rep. Pfluger.  “I am proud to work with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to crack down on illicit uses of Xylazine while protecting its critical purpose in agriculture and veterinary medicine.”

Rep. Pfluger's legislation is being co-led Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05), and Deborah Ross (NC-02), as well as Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA). The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act previously passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support.

“Illicit xylazine is exacerbating the deadly fentanyl crisis and devastating our communities,” said Rep. Panetta. “The bipartisan Combating Illicit Xylazine Act is how we fight back, giving law enforcement the tools to crack down on traffickers while ensuring that veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers can continue using this medication responsibly. With strong bipartisan and bicameral support, we are pushing for urgent action to stop this dangerous drug and save more lives.”

“Xylazine poses a growing threat across the Silver State, and our law enforcement officers simply don’t have the tools they need to keep our communities safe from this dangerous drug,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “My bipartisan, bicameral bill would crack down on illegal use of xylazine while protecting its legitimate use by veterinarians and ranchers. It’s time for Congress to act now and pass this life-saving legislation.”

“Illicit xylazine is contributing to the national drug epidemic and driving up overdose deaths in communities across the country. Our nation’s laws must keep pace with emerging drug trends,” said Sen. Grassley. “This bipartisan bill recognizes the lethal threat of xylazine and provides law enforcement new tools to combat its spread, while ensuring veterinarians, ranchers and cattlemen can continue to access the drug for legitimate animal treatment.”

“Our goal is to save lives and to make sure law enforcement has the tools its needs to respond appropriately to those who are making these deadly concoctions that are killing so many of our neighbors,” said Rep. Bilirakis. “At the same time, we must ensure that those veterinarians who are using xylazine for legitimate purposes have the ability to continue doing so. Our legislation strikes that right balance.”

“As we continue to see xylazine being mixed with fentanyl, heroin, and other deadly drugs, we must take action to crack down on dealers who are cutting drugs with this substance that worsens the life-threatening impacts of fentanyl,” said Rep. Pappas. “This legislation would track the manufacture of xylazine, which is legally used as an animal tranquilizer, and ensure law enforcement has the resources needed to crack down on illegal drug traffickers. I hope that this legislation will be swiftly brought to the floor for a vote, and I’ll continue working across the aisle, and alongside law enforcement and public safety experts, to craft comprehensive solutions that will help combat our ongoing addiction epidemic.”

“Xylazine, a powerful animal sedative, is increasingly being cut into illicit drugs like fentanyl, boosting the profits of criminal cartels and drug traffickers while fueling the overdose crisis in the United States. To help keep Americans safe, we must classify xylazine as a Schedule III narcotic,” said Rep. Fitzgerald. “This bill will enhance law enforcement’s ability to track xylazine distribution and impose criminal penalties on those who misuse it, while ensuring its availability for necessary veterinary use.” 

“Drug overdoses have devastated communities in North Carolina and across the country,” said Rep. Ross. “Now, the rise of illicit xylazine poses another grave threat. This bipartisan, bicameral bill is a commonsense solution to equip both federal and local law enforcement with urgently needed resources, prevent misuse, and save lives.”