Representatives Deborah Ross (NC-02), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), August Pfluger (TX-11), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05), and Chris Pappas (NH-01) reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. The legislation would list xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance while protecting the drug’s legal use by veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers. 

Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) reintroduced the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act in the Senate.

Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” is an easily accessible veterinary tranquilizer that is being used as a low-cost cutting agent for fentanyl.  The 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.  

“Drug overdoses have devastated communities in North Carolina and across the country,” said Congresswoman Deborah 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.”

“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 Catherine 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 Senator Chuck 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.”

“Illicit xylazine is exacerbating the deadly fentanyl crisis and devastating our communities,” said Congressman Jimmy 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.”

“Our country is facing a drug epidemic that has devastated 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 Congressman August 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.”

“Our goal is to save lives and to make sure law enforcement has the tools it needs to respond appropriately to those who are making these deadly concoctions that are killing so many of our neighbors,” said Congressman Gus 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 Congressman Chris 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 Congressman Scott 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.” 

Specifically, 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.

The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act has been endorsed by 39 state attorneys general, law enforcement organizations, and veterinary organizations.

Full text of the bill is available here.