Floor SpeechBipartisan2026-07-13

MEASURING ILLICIT FENTANYL TRAFFICKING ACT

ImmigrationTaxesEnvironmentDefenseTradeCrime & Justice

Context

On 2026-07-13, Representative James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA-11) delivered a floor speech titled "MEASURING ILLICIT FENTANYL TRAFFICKING ACT" in the House.

Full Text

MEASURING ILLICIT FENTANYL TRAFFICKING ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [House] [Page H4398] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] MEASURING ILLICIT FENTANYL TRAFFICKING ACT Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8535) to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop performance metrics relating to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of fentanyl, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 8535 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 ``Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act''. SEC. 2. COMBATTING ILLICIT FENTANYL. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall-- (1) ensure that each component of the Department of Homeland Security engaged in the detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl-- (A) to the extent practicable, collaborate and share relevant information and data relating to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl with other components of the Department of Homeland Security engaged in such detection, deterrence, and seizure or the measurement thereof; and (B) identify any barriers to sharing relevant information and data pursuant to paragraph (1); and (2) establish performance metrics relating to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl for the Department of Homeland Security and each component of such Department and ensure that such metrics align with any strategic objectives and goals of the Department related to the efforts of the Department to combat illicit fentanyl trafficking. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York. general leave Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 8535. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York? There was no objection. Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8535, the Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act. This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop performance metrics relating to detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl for the Department of Homeland Security and each of its components. Additionally, this bill requires each relevant DHS component to share information related to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of fentanyl with each other, as well as identify any barriers to sharing information and data. The fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act required DHS to establish a program to collect data and develop measures to assess the effectiveness of efforts to detect and deter illicit fentanyl. It also required the Government Accountability Office to audit the program. A September 2025 GAO report analyzed the Department's efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking, with findings that DHS had not yet established the program, that CBP was not provided adequate information from across DHS components that would inform the program, and that DHS had not developed performance goals and metrics to track them. This legislation will support current DHS efforts to implement these requirements and combat the flow of illicit fentanyl into the United States. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. WALKINSHAW. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, H.R. 8535, the bipartisan Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act, is based on the nonpartisan research and recommendations of the Government Accountability Office, which last year examined the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to detect, deter, and seize illicit fentanyl. GAO identified critical gaps in DHS efforts against fentanyl trafficking: a lack of coordination, information sharing, and measures to assess DHS' effectiveness. As a result, GAO made three straightforward recommendations: first, establish a program to collect data and measure effectiveness; second, ensure access to information across DHS components; and, third, develop performance goals and measures aligned with DHS' strategic objectives. Our bill simply would put into law those commonsense recommendations. Fentanyl remains one of the most devastating public safety and public health challenges facing our Nation. The scourge of fentanyl trafficking is sobering. CDC data showed that fentanyl accounted for over 69 percent of all drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2025. Last year alone, in the D.C. metropolitan region, there were nearly 1,000 deaths due to fentanyl overdose. With lives, resources, and time on the line, it is important for DHS personnel to not only work hard in the fight against illicit fentanyl but to also work smart against this enormous challenge. That requires collaboration and the ability to assess how their operations are having an impact. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. McCaul, who was my co-lead on this legislation. I thank the chairman, Ranking Member Thompson, and Mr. Correa, as well, who worked hard on it. As I said, this bipartisan legislation would put three GAO recommendations for combating illicit fentanyl into law. It would require the establishment of a program to collect data and measure the effectiveness of current efforts to counter illicit fentanyl, ensure information sharing across DHS components, and require the development of performance goals and measures. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting H.R. 8535, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, I congratulate and thank Mr. Walkinshaw for his hard work on this bill. It is a great piece of legislation. I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 8535, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Van Duyne). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8535, as amended. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed. The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop performance metrics relating to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl, and for other purposes.''. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________

Referenced legislation: HR8535, HR8535

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MEASURING ILLICIT FENTANYL TRAFFICKING ACT Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [House] [Page H4398] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] MEASURING ILLICIT FENTANYL TRAFFICKING ACT Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8535) to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop performance metrics relating to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of fentanyl, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 8535 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 ``Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act''. SEC. 2. COMBATTING ILLICIT FENTANYL. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall-- (1) ensure that each component of the Department of Homeland Security engaged in the detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl-- (A) to the extent practicable, collaborate and share relevant information and data relating to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl with other components of the Department of Homeland Security engaged in such detection, deterrence, and seizure or the measurement thereof; and (B) identify any barriers to sharing relevant information and data pursuant to paragraph (1); and (2) establish performance metrics relating to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl for the Department of Homeland Security and each component of such Department and ensure that such metrics align with any strategic objectives and goals of the Department related to the efforts of the Department to combat illicit fentanyl trafficking. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York. general leave Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 8535. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York? There was no objection. Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8535, the Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act. This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop performance metrics relating to detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl for the Department of Homeland Security and each of its components. Additionally, this bill requires each relevant DHS component to share information related to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of fentanyl with each other, as well as identify any barriers to sharing information and data. The fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act required DHS to establish a program to collect data and develop measures to assess the effectiveness of efforts to detect and deter illicit fentanyl. It also required the Government Accountability Office to audit the program. A September 2025 GAO report analyzed the Department's efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking, with findings that DHS had not yet established the program, that CBP was not provided adequate information from across DHS components that would inform the program, and that DHS had not developed performance goals and metrics to track them. This legislation will support current DHS efforts to implement these requirements and combat the flow of illicit fentanyl into the United States. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. WALKINSHAW. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, H.R. 8535, the bipartisan Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act, is based on the nonpartisan research and recommendations of the Government Accountability Office, which last year examined the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to detect, deter, and seize illicit fentanyl. GAO identified critical gaps in DHS efforts against fentanyl trafficking: a lack of coordination, information sharing, and measures to assess DHS' effectiveness. As a result, GAO made three straightforward recommendations: first, establish a program to collect data and measure effectiveness; second, ensure access to information across DHS components; and, third, develop performance goals and measures aligned with DHS' strategic objectives. Our bill simply would put into law those commonsense recommendations. Fentanyl remains one of the most devastating public safety and public health challenges facing our Nation. The scourge of fentanyl trafficking is sobering. CDC data showed that fentanyl accounted for over 69 percent of all drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2025. Last year alone, in the D.C. metropolitan region, there were nearly 1,000 deaths due to fentanyl overdose. With lives, resources, and time on the line, it is important for DHS personnel to not only work hard in the fight against illicit fentanyl but to also work smart against this enormous challenge. That requires collaboration and the ability to assess how their operations are having an impact. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. McCaul, who was my co-lead on this legislation. I thank the chairman, Ranking Member Thompson, and Mr. Correa, as well, who worked hard on it. As I said, this bipartisan legislation would put three GAO recommendations for combating illicit fentanyl into law. It would require the establishment of a program to collect data and measure the effectiveness of current efforts to counter illicit fentanyl, ensure information sharing across DHS components, and require the development of performance goals and measures. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting H.R. 8535, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, I congratulate and thank Mr. Walkinshaw for his hard work on this bill. It is a great piece of legislation. I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 8535, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Van Duyne). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8535, as amended. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed. The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop performance metrics relating to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl, and for other purposes.''. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________ Referenced legislation: HR8535, HR8535