Pfluger, Capito propose bipartisan, bicameral bill to combat tranq

U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) and U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) on Tuesday offered a bipartisan, bicameral bill to control the use of xylazine, also known as “tranq,” an easily accessible veterinary tranquilizer that’s being used as a low-cost cutting agent in other drugs.

“The drug crisis in our country is becoming more tragic by the day, with drug traffickers turning to veterinary tranquilizers to make drugs more addictive — and more deadly,” Rep. Pfluger said. “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.”

Sen. Capito said the bill would crack down on mixed substances that are making drugs like fentanyl even deadlier, and will improve coordination and training across all levels. 

“We have lost far too many West Virginians to overdoses, and I will continue my efforts to put forward solutions that prevent these drugs from entering our state,” Sen. Capito said.

Rep. Pfluger signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, H.R. 1839, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and eight other original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE). Sen. Capito also on March 28 signed on as an original cosponsor of the same-named S. 993, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV).

If enacted, the measure would classify the illicit use of xylazine under Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, enabling the Drug Enforcement Agency to track its manufacturing to ensure it is not diverted to the illicit market, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.

Additionally, the bill would require a report on the prevalence, risks, and recommendations to best regulate the illicit use of xylazine; ensure all salts and isomers of xylazine are covered when restricting its illicit use; and declare it an emerging drug threat, the summary says.

“Drug traffickers are going to great lengths to pad their profits with dangerous drugs like tranq, and we need to empower law enforcement to crack down on its spread in our communities,” said Sen. Cortez Masto. “This bipartisan legislation will ensure the DEA and local law enforcement have the tools they need to get xylazine off our streets while protecting its important use as a veterinary tranquilizer.”

The legislation is supported by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Nevada Cattlemen Association, the National Association of Police Organizations, the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, the United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association, the Peace Officers Research Association of California North American Meat Institute, the Animal Health Institute, and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners.