Congressman August Pfluger's (R) bipartisan, bicameral Combating Illicit Xylazine Act passed the U.S. House unanimously, advancing legislation that would place xylazine under Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act while protecting its legitimate veterinary use.
Rep. Pfluger said the legislation targets the illicit use of xylazine, which is commonly known as "tranq" and is used as a low-cost cutting agent for fentanyl, while preserving access for veterinarians, farmers and ranchers.
"I am proud to see the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act pass the U.S. House of Representatives," said Pfluger.
The bill would also give the Drug Enforcement Administration tools to track xylazine manufacturing and help prevent diversion to the illicit market.
The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act passed out of @HouseCommerce today.
Xylazine was never meant for human use, yet drug 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… pic.twitter.com/W4kjP7Gzv6
— Rep. August Pfluger (@RepPfluger) July 21, 2026
"Xylazine was never meant for human use, and traffickers are increasingly turning to inexpensive products to make street drugs more potent and deadly," said Pfluger.
Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), a lead sponsor, said the unanimous vote demonstrates bipartisan support for addressing illicit xylazine while maintaining veterinary access.
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said Congress should "continue to work in a bipartisan and bicameral fashion" to advance the legislation, while Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) said law enforcement needs additional tools to address xylazine-related overdoses.
The legislation was introduced by Reps. Pfluger, Panetta, Gus Bilirakis(R-FL), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI) and Deborah Ross (D-NC), with Senate companion legislation led by Grassley and Cortez Masto.
The bill now heads to the Senate.
