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Rep. Panetta’s Statement on Biden Administration Support for the Bipartisan, Bicameral Combating Illicit Xylazine Act

March 13, 2024

Washington, DC – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) released the following statement on the Biden Administration’s call, within the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2025, to pass the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act:

“As the fentanyl crisis evolves, the federal government needs to adapt to the new realities facing our law enforcement and local public health officials.  We need all levels of government engaged and working to stop the flow of illegal drugs into our community.  In recognizing the importance of our bipartisan, bicameral Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, the Biden Administration made clear that they are a partner in our work to ensure law enforcement has the tools they need to effectively respond to the threat of xylazine-adulterated fentanyl.

“We have an opportunity to get ahead of the next wave of this crisis before it gets worse.  Urgent action is needed to better track xylazine, prosecute those who illegally traffic it into our communities, and protect families from the potent and deadly xylazine-fentanyl mixture known as “tranq.”  With the Biden Administration’s support, as well as the backing of attorneys general across the nation, law enforcement organizations, veterinary organizations, and a broad cross-party coalition in both the House and Senate we have momentum to pass this critical piece of legislation.” 

Rep. Panetta and U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV.), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) along with Reps. August Pfluger (TX-11), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Ken Buck (CO-04), and Chris Pappas (NH-01) reintroduced new legislative text for the bipartisan, bicameral Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, strengthening this legislation with stakeholder input.  Since its introduction, the bill has gained 88 new cosponsors in the House of Representatives and 23 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.  Since it is not an opioid, its effects cannot be reversed by naloxone. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy has designated fentanyl combined with xylazine as an “emerging threat.” The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act would schedule this dangerous drug and give law enforcement the tools they need to go after traffickers while protecting access for veterinarians, farmers, cattlemen, 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.

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