COMBATING ILLICIT XYLAZINE ACT

On 2026-09-15, Representative Brett Guthrie (R-KY-2) delivered a floor speech titled "COMBATING ILLICIT XYLAZINE ACT" in the House.

COMBATING ILLICIT XYLAZINE ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 145 (Tuesday, September 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 145 (Tuesday, September 15, 2026)] [House] [Pages H5671-H5673] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] COMBATING ILLICIT XYLAZINE ACT Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1266) to prohibit certain uses of xylazine, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 1266 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Combating Illicit Xylazine Act''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. (a) In General.--In this Act, the term ``xylazine'' has the meaning given the term in paragraph (61) of section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act, as added by subsection (b) of this section. (b) Controlled Substances Act.--Section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(61) The term `xylazine' means the substance xylazine, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible.''. SEC. 3. ADDING XYLAZINE TO SCHEDULE III. Schedule III of section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(f) Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of xylazine.''. SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS. (a) Amendment.--Section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802) is amended by striking paragraph (27) and inserting the following: ``(27)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term `ultimate user' means a person who has lawfully obtained, and who possesses, a controlled substance for the use by the person or for the use of a member of the household of the person or for an animal owned by the person or by a member of the household of the person. ``(B)(i) In the case of xylazine, other than for a drug product approved under subsection (b) or (j) of section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355), the term `ultimate user' means a person-- ``(I) to whom xylazine was dispensed by-- ``(aa) a veterinarian registered under this Act; or ``(bb) a pharmacy registered under this Act pursuant to a prescription of a veterinarian registered under this Act; and ``(II) who possesses xylazine for-- ``(aa) an animal owned by the person or by a member of the household of the person; ``(bb) an animal under the care of the person; ``(cc) use in government animal-control programs authorized under applicable Federal, State, Tribal, or local law; or ``(dd) use in wildlife programs authorized under applicable Federal, State, Tribal, or local law. ``(ii) In this subparagraph, the term `person' includes-- ``(I) a government agency or business where animals are located; and ``(II) an employee or agent of an agency or business acting within the scope of their employment or agency.''. (b) Facilities.--An entity that manufactures xylazine, as of the date of enactment of this Act, shall not be required to make capital expenditures necessary to install the security standard required of schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) for the purposes of manufacturing xylazine. (c) Labeling.--The requirements related to labeling, packaging, and distribution logistics of a controlled substance in schedule III of section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812(c)) shall not take effect for xylazine until the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. [[Page H5672]] (d) Practitioner Registration.--The requirements related to practitioner registration, inventory, and recordkeeping of a controlled substance in schedule III of section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812(c)) shall not take effect for xylazine until the date that is 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act. A practitioner that has applied for registration during the 60-day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act may continue their lawful activities until such application is approved or denied. (e) Manufacturer Transition.--The Food and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration shall facilitate and expedite the relevant manufacturer submissions or applications required by the placement of xylazine on schedule III of section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812(c)). (f) Clarification.--Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall be construed to require the registration of an ultimate user of xylazine under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) in order to possess xylazine in accordance with subparagraph (B) of section 102(27) of that Act (21 U.S.C. 802(27)), as added by subsection (a) of this section. SEC. 5. ARCOS TRACKING. Section 307(i) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 827(i)) is amended-- (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)-- (A) by inserting ``or xylazine'' after ``gamma hydroxybutyric acid''; (B) by inserting ``or 512'' after ``section 505''; and (C) by inserting ``respectively,'' after ``the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act,''; and (2) in paragraph (6), by inserting ``or xylazine'' after ``gamma hydroxybutyric acid''. SEC. 6. SENTENCING COMMISSION. Pursuant to its authority under section 994(p) of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission shall review and, if appropriate, amend its sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and official commentary applicable to persons convicted of an offense under section 401 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841) or section 1010 of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 960) to provide appropriate penalties for offenses involving xylazine that are consistent with the amendments made by this Act. In carrying out this section, the Commission should consider the common forms of xylazine as well as its use alongside other scheduled substances. SEC. 7. REPORT TO CONGRESS ON XYLAZINE. (a) Initial Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, acting through the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration and in coordination with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall submit to Congress a report on the prevalence of illicit use of xylazine in the United States and the impacts of such use, including-- (1) where the drug is being diverted; (2) where the drug is originating; and (3) whether any analogues to xylazine, or related or derivative substances, exist and present a substantial risk of abuse. (b) Additional Report.--Not later than 4 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, acting through the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration and in coordination with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall submit to Congress a report updating Congress on the prevalence and proliferation of xylazine trafficking and misuse in the United States. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) and the gentlewoman from Texas (Mrs. Fletcher) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kentucky. General Leave Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the legislation and to include extraneous material on H.R. 1266. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Kentucky? There was no objection. Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1266, the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, led by my colleagues Representatives Panetta and Pfluger. Xylazine is a veterinary drug used to sedate large animals. It has no legitimate use in humans, and it is quickly becoming one of the deadliest drugs on our streets. This bill would place xylazine in schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act while ensuring an exemption for appropriate use within the veterinary and ranching industries. The decision to place xylazine in schedule III is a product of extensive bipartisan work spanning two Congresses and two administrations, supported by both DEA and HHS. It is critical that we pass this commonsense bill to strengthen our ability to crack down on illicit xylazine distribution while preserving its legitimate veterinary and ranching uses. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mrs. FLETCHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 1266. This legislation classifies xylazine as a schedule III controlled substance while including provisions to preserve access for veterinarians, livestock producers, and researchers. Over the last decade, xylazine has been increasingly found in the illicit drug supply as a low-cost cutting agent intended to strengthen street drugs. Because of its use in veterinary medicine, drug traffickers realized that they could buy powdered xylazine, and it has become the most common drug mixed with fentanyl. This potent drug combination poses severe health and safety risks, and there has been a dramatic increase in overdoses involving xylazine. Xylazine remains an important prescription sedative that facilitates the safe handling and treatment of many animal species. For example, it is important for use in cattle, as there is no practical alternative for sedation. This legislation protects the legitimate use of xylazine for veterinary medicine and fights the spread of illicit xylazine among humans, but scheduling alone will not get us out of the overdose epidemic. We need investm

Referenced legislation: HR1266, HR1266