The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee on Tuesday unanimously passed a bipartisan, bicameral bill proposed by U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) that would help law enforcement tackle illegal drug traffickers by tracking the manufacture of xylazine, a legal animal tranquilizer, which is being mixed with fentanyl, heroin, and other deadly drugs.
The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, H.R. 1266, which Rep. Pfluger cosponsored in February 2025 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), would list the deadly additive xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance. U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced the identical S. 545 in the Senate.
“The xylazine crisis is only getting worse, and communities across America are paying the price,” Rep. Pfluger said. “That’s why I am proud to see the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act advance through the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.”
Xylazine was never meant for human use, the congressman explained, but traffickers are increasingly mixing it into street drugs to make them more potent and more deadly.
“This bill takes direct aim at traffickers exploiting this drug for illicit purposes, while preserving its legal use by veterinarians and agricultural producers,” he added. “I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle until this critical legislation is signed into law.”
If enacted, the bill also would ensure veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers are able to 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.
The measure also would enable the Drug Enforcement Administration 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, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Pfluger’s staff.
“The overwhelming passage of this bill in the House Energy and Commerce Committee demonstrates the bipartisan consensus around stopping the illicit spread of this dangerous drug,” said Rep. Panetta. “I look forward to working with both my Democratic and Republican colleagues to get this bill across the finish line and save lives.”