Congressman leads push to regulate xylazine in fentanyl crisis
United States Representative Jimmy Panetta.
Xylazine is a tranquilizer used in veterinary medicine but is increasingly used as a cutting agent in fentanyl
– U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley), who represents Paso Robles and California’s 19th District, is leading a bipartisan effort to address the growing threat of xylazine-adulterated fentanyl, urging Congress to pass the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. Panetta, joined by Rep. August Pfluger of Texas and 42 other lawmakers, sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, calling for swift action on the legislation.
The bill, which passed the House with bipartisan support, seeks to classify xylazine as a controlled substance while maintaining its availability for veterinary use. Xylazine, commonly referred to as “tranq,” is a tranquilizer used in veterinary medicine but is increasingly used as a cutting agent in fentanyl. Because it is not an opioid, its effects cannot be reversed with naloxone.
“Congress has the power to revise current statute to protect communities, preserve legitimate access to veterinary medicine and human medical research, and safeguard our critical livestock industry,” the lawmakers wrote. “Illicit xylazine is too great a crisis to wait any longer, and we urge the inclusion of this updated bipartisan, bicameral version of the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act in end-of-year legislation.”
The legislation is cosponsored by 101 House members and has support from 39 state attorneys general, law enforcement agencies, and veterinary organizations. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto, Chuck Grassley, and Maggie Hassan are sponsoring a companion bill in the Senate.
The bill includes tracking requirements for xylazine to aid law enforcement while ensuring farmers, ranchers, and veterinarians retain access for animal care. Panetta and Pfluger emphasized that the drug’s importance in agriculture necessitates legislative action, as current regulatory options are inadequate.
The Drug Enforcement Administration reported finding xylazine in nearly one-third of the fentanyl powder it seized in 2023. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy designated fentanyl mixed with xylazine as an “emerging threat.”
Panetta’s coalition warns that the lack of federal regulation could force legitimate xylazine producers out of the market, disrupt livestock care, and hinder research. They call for Congress to pass the legislation before the end of the year.
Representative Panetta is currently supporting Israel’s genocide of Palestinians. He voted for Trump to have the power to shut down any non-profit he decides is “supporting terror” (is Planned Parenthood supporting terror according to Trump I wonder?) and has voted over and over again to send money and weapons to a nation that is actively flaunting their disregard for international law.
Representative Panetta is currently supporting Israel’s genocide of Palestinians. He voted for Trump to have the power to shut down any non-profit he decides is “supporting terror” (is Planned Parenthood supporting terror according to Trump I wonder?) and has voted over and over again to send money and weapons to a nation that is actively flaunting their disregard for international law.