Des Moines Sun

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Representative August Pfluger (R-Texas), and Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) have called for immediate congressional action on the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. In an op-ed published in The Hill, the lawmakers outlined the dangers posed by illicit xylazine when used as a cutting agent in synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.

According to the authors, “The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act is a commonsense solution that will help keep deadly xylazine off the streets, without threatening the livelihood of farmers and ranchers nationwide. We urge our colleagues in Congress to join us in support of this legislation and work swiftly to pass it into law.”

The op-ed describes how synthetic fentanyl and its additives have worsened the opioid epidemic across the United States. Criminal organizations are increasingly using xylazine, a veterinary sedative, to enhance illicit fentanyl’s potency and street value. This combination, referred to as “tranq,” has been identified as an emerging threat since 2023 due to its severe health risks, including respiratory depression, unconsciousness, tissue necrosis, and death.

Xylazine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for veterinary use and is essential for treating livestock. For cattle specifically, it remains the only safe and effective drug available. The Drug Enforcement Administration is currently considering making xylazine a controlled substance; however, there are concerns that increased regulation could disrupt legitimate veterinary access or force domestic manufacturers out of production.

The lawmakers explained their efforts over two years to collaborate with federal agencies and stakeholders like the American Veterinary Medical Association on bipartisan legislation. The proposed bill would classify xylazine as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act while preserving access for veterinarians and providing transparency into its market. This approach aims to allow law enforcement to better track legal sales and identify illegal diversion or importation.

Support for this legislation includes backing from the DEA, various law enforcement groups such as the National Fraternal Order of Police and National Association of Attorneys General, all 50 state veterinary medical organizations, and Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Many states have enacted or proposed their own regulations on xylazine. The lawmakers argue that passing federal legislation would create uniform standards nationwide rather than relying on varied state laws.

They concluded: “The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act is a commonsense solution that will help keep deadly xylazine off the streets, without threatening the livelihood of farmers and ranchers nationwide. We urge our colleagues in Congress to join us in support of this legislation and work swiftly to pass it into law.”