Bipartisan legislation gives law enforcement new tools against xylazine traffickers while protecting veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House of Representatives has unanimously passed the bipartisan Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, legislation cosponsored by Representative Josh Riley (NY-19) to crack down on xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer that drug traffickers are increasingly mixing into fentanyl.
Also known as “tranq,” xylazine is an easily accessible veterinary tranquilizer that has increasingly been used as a cost-cutting agent in fentanyl. It slows breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure to life-threatening levels, and because it isn’t an opioid, naloxone (Narcan) can’t reverse its sedative effects. Overdose deaths involving xylazine rose nearly 20 fold between 2015 and 2020.
The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act would classify xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance so law enforcement can go after traffickers, while preserving access for veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers who rely on the drug to treat large animals.
“I’ve sat with too many parents in Upstate New York who lost a child to an overdose, and I will never forget their faces,” said Riley. “I’m doing everything in my power to end the scourge of fentanyl in our communities and crack down on substances like xylazine that make this crisis even more deadly. Our bipartisan bill will make sure law enforcement has the tools they need to stop xylazine traffickers and keep this dangerous drug off our streets.”
“We have seen firsthand the devastating toll that fentanyl and other dangerous substances have taken on families in Columbia County,” said Columbia County Sheriff Jacqueline Salvatore. “The addition of xylazine to the illicit drug supply compounds that problem, particularly when it is mixed with fentanyl and other opioids. Giving local law enforcement additional tools to target those who knowingly traffic illicit xylazine will help us address these dangerous drug combinations and the people responsible for putting them into our communities. I appreciate Congressman Riley’s work on this issue and the bipartisan support in the House for legislation that strengthens law enforcement’s ability to keep dangerous drugs off our streets while protecting the legitimate veterinary use of xylazine.”
Specifically, The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act will:
- Schedule xylazine as a 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.
Riley has made combating the fentanyl crisis a top priority of his since taking office. He has introduced, co-sponsored, and voted for a range of bills to stop fentanyl at the border, in the mail system, and in correctional facilities, while expanding support for addiction recovery:
- Voted for S. 331, the HALT Fentanyl Act (Senate version), to make all fentanyl-related substances Schedule I and expand research access for addiction treatment.
- Co-sponsored H.R. 27, the HALT Fentanyl Act (House version), to increase penalties and shut down trafficking loopholes.
- Introduced the Stop Fentanyl Smuggling Act (H.R. 3078), a bipartisan bill with Rep. Zach Nunn to fund advanced detection technologies at borders and in prisons.
- Co-sponsored the Marc Fischer Memorial Act (H.R. 1046), to modernize mail screening in federal prisons.
- Co-sponsored the CATCH Fentanyl Act (H.R. 1569), to support the creation of high-tech pilot programs at land ports of entry.
- Co-sponsored the Fight Fentanyl Act (H.R. 2964), to give local, state, and federal law enforcement tools and equipment to get fentanyl and illicit substances off the streets.
- Co-sponsored the Combatting Fentanyl Poisonings Act (H.R. 5573), to establish new grant programs to stop fentanyl dealers, protect law enforcement officers, and educate young people about the dangers of fentanyl.
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