DETECTION EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION TO COUNTER THE THREAT OF FENTANYL AND XYLAZINE ACT OF 2024

On 2024-12-18, Representative Nick LaLota (R-NY-1) delivered a floor speech titled "DETECTION EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION TO COUNTER THE THREAT OF FENTANYL AND XYLAZINE ACT OF 2024" in the House. The speech addressed immigration and also covered the environment, foreign policy. It referenced legislation: HR8663.

DETECTION EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION TO COUNTER THE THREAT OF FENTANYL AND XYLAZINE ACT OF 2024

Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 188 (Wednesday, December 18, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 188 (Wednesday, December 18, 2024)] [House] [Pages H7335-H7337] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] DETECTION EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION TO COUNTER THE THREAT OF FENTANYL AND XYLAZINE ACT OF 2024 Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 8663) to require the Science and Technology Directorate in the Department of Homeland Security to develop greater capacity to detect, identify, and disrupt illicit substances in very low concentrations. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the Senate amendments is as follows: Senate amendments: Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLES. This Act may be cited as the ``Detection Equipment and Technology Evaluation to Counter the Threat of Fentanyl and Xylazine Act of 2024'' or the ``DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act of 2024''. SEC. 2. ENHANCING THE CAPACITY TO DETECT AND IDENTIFY DRUGS SUCH AS FENTANYL AND XYLAZINE. Section 302 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 182) is amended-- [[Page H7336]] (1) in paragraph (13), by striking ``and'' at the end; (2) in paragraph (14), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(15) carrying out, in coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration, research, development, testing, evaluation, and cost-benefit analyses to improve the safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of equipment and the effectiveness and efficiency of reference libraries for use by Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies for the accurate detection of drugs, such as fentanyl and xylazine, including-- ``(A) portable equipment that can detect and identify drugs with minimal or no handling of the sample; ``(B) equipment that can separate complex mixtures containing low concentrations of drugs and high concentrations of cutting agents into their component parts to enable signature extraction for field identification and detection; and ``(C) technologies that use machine learning or artificial intelligence (as defined in section 5002 of the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 (15 U.S.C. 9401)) and other techniques to predict whether the substances in a sample are controlled substance analogues or other new psychoactive substances not yet included in available reference libraries.''. SEC. 3. REQUIREMENTS. In carrying out section 302(15) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by section 2, the Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall-- (1) follow the recommendations, guidelines, and best practices described in the Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework (NIST AI 100-1) or any successor document published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology; and (2) establish the Directorate of Science and Technology's research, development, testing, evaluation, and cost-benefit analysis priorities under such section 302(15) based on the latest available information, including specific drugs identified as threats in-- (A) the latest Homeland Threat Assessment published by the Department of Homeland Security; (B) the latest State and Territory Report on Enduring and Emerging Threats published by the Drug Enforcement Administration; or (C) any successor documents. SEC. 4. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. Nothing in this Act may be construed to limit the authority of agencies currently managing, overseeing, or otherwise involved in drug equipment and reference libraries. Amend the title so as to read: ``An Act to require the Science and Technology Directorate in the Department of Homeland Security to develop greater capacity to detect and identify illicit substances in very low concentrations.''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Green) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Kennedy) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee. General Leave Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the bill. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Tennessee? There was no objection. Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, once again, with a strong voice of support for H.R. 8663, the DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act of 2024. This critical piece of legislation will equip DHS S&T with the authority it needs to improve the safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of drug detection equipment and reference libraries to protect frontline DHS personnel who seek to protect our Nation from the flow of illicit fentanyl and other drugs amidst the catastrophic mess at our southwest border. I am glad that the Senate took swift action and passed this measure and concur with the amendment, which requires DHS to coordinate with the DEA and upholds the authority of other Federal agencies utilizing drug equipment and reference libraries. I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaLota) for his diligent work on this legislation in the House, as well as the gentleman from California (Mr. Correa). I also thank Senator Cornyn of Texas for working across Chambers and championing this important legislation through the Senate. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill so we can get it to the President's desk as soon as possible, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8663, the Detection Equipment and Technology Evaluation to Counter the Threat of Fentanyl and Xylazine Act of 2024 is an important piece of legislation that enables the DHS Science and Technology Directorate to improve the capabilities of law enforcement at every level in identifying and combating illicit substances. This bipartisan bill demonstrates a strong commitment to equipping law enforcement with the tools needed to combat the proliferation of dangerous substances like fentanyl and xylazine. The bill specifically directs DHS S&T to develop and evaluate advanced drug detection technologies like machines that can break down and analyze complex drug mixtures and AI systems to spot new drug threats. These initiatives aim to enhance the precision and efficiency of drug detection, empowering law enforcement to respond effectively to evolving challenges. Furthermore, H.R. 8663, prioritizes collaboration with agencies like the DEA and adherence to NIST's artificial intelligence risk management framework, reinforcing the integrity and reliability of the technologies developed. This bill is an important step in ensuring that DHS prioritizes the development and deployment of cutting-edge technologies to combat the growing threat of dangerous substances like fentanyl and xylazine so DHS will be better equipped to address emerging drug trends, protect public safety, and support law enforcement efforts nationwide. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 8663 as we did in the past, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaLota). Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Tennessee for yielding. I was anxious about the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee yielding because his alma mater team, West Point, lost to my alma mater Annapolis this weekend 31-13 at the premier football game, so I appreciate the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, the fight against fentanyl and xylazine is a battle that we cannot afford to lose, and right now the United States is at a crossroads. Our communities are grappling with a devastating crisis as lethal drugs like fentanyl and xylazine continue to wreak havoc across our country. Today, we have a chance to deliver solutions. The amended version of my DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act is back before us and it is a stronger, more comprehensive tool to tackle this epidemic. Every year, over 100,000 precious American lives are lost to drug overdoses. In 2023 alone, opioids were responsible for more than 81,000 deaths. Fentanyl, accounting for nearly 90 percent of synthetic opioid fatalities, claimed tens of thousands of lives, shattering families and leaving communities in mourning. These numbers are tragic reminders of the lives we are losing every day. {time} 1230 Now, xylazine, a tranquilizer known on the streets as tranq, is being mixed with fentanyl, creating an even deadlier and harder to detect combination. This toxic mix does not spare anyone. It claims lives regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic status. From suburban Long Island to urban centers and rural America, this crisis is everywhere, Mr. Speaker. Earlier this year, the House passed the DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act with overwhelming bipartisan support. Since then, our Senate colleagues have worked to refine and enhance the legislation to better address the growing threat. Their amendments make a strong bill even stronger by ensuring our efforts are as coordinated and effective as possible. The updated bill includes important improvements. One, it mandates greater collaboration between the Department of Homeland Security and the Drug Enforcement Administration, ensuring that expertise and resources are shared in this fight. Two, it prioritizes accuracy, efficiency, and innovation in drug detection technologies, including improving [[Page H7337]] reference libraries to ensure no deadly substance escapes detection. Three, Mr. Speaker, it aligns research priorities with specific threats, incorporating not only DEA reports but also the latest Homeland Threat

Referenced legislation: HR8663, HR8663