Pappas Joins Bipartisan Group of Senate and House Colleagues Calling for Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Crack Down on Xylazine, Highlight Growing Support for Bill

Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Senator Maggie Hassan (NH) joined a bipartisan group of Senate and House colleagues in calling for urgent passage of an updated version of their Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. Since its introduction, this bipartisan, bicameral legislation has gained 23 new cosponsors in the Senate and 88 in the House of Representatives, and it has undergone several legislative changes to strengthen the bill text and ensure it can become law. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH) and Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) are co-sponsors of the legislation.

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.” This 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, cattlemen, and ranchers who use xylazine to treat large animals.

“As we continue to see xylazine being mixed with fentanyl, heroin, and other deadly drugs, it’s critical we take action to crack down on illegal use,” said Congressman 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 House 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 poses a major risk to Granite Staters and we must keep working to get it off the streets,” said Senator Hassan. “This bipartisan bill would strengthen penalties on xylazine traffickers and give law enforcement more tools to ensure that xylazine does not end up on the illicit market. I urge my colleagues in the House and the Senate to pass this bill that will help save lives.” 

“The AVMA strongly endorses the updated Combating Illicit Xylazine Act as it strikes the right balance of helping protect our communities from illicit xylazine while preserving veterinary access to this essential animal drug,” said Dr. Rena Carlson, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association. “Passage of this legislation would protect human safety, safeguard animal welfare, and reduce the risk of a potential supply disruption of legal xylazine. We greatly appreciate the Senate and House leads of the bill for recognizing the immediate need to address the public health threat posed by illicit xylazine and, at the same time, maintain access to legitimate xylazine for its critical uses in veterinary medicine.”

The updated 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 

This legislation has been endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Nevada Cattlemen Association, National Association of Police Organizations, National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Nevada Veterinary Medical Association, Peace Officers Research Association of California, North American Meat Institute, Animal Health Institute, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, and the Major Cities Chiefs Association.  The bill is also endorsed by 39 state attorneys general, major law enforcement organizations, and veterinary organizations.

The updated text of the bill can be found here.