A coalition of ninety national, state, and local organizations called on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Mar. 18 to move forward with the bipartisan Combating Illicit Xylazine Act ahead of a scheduled committee vote. The bill is led by Chairman Chuck Grassley and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and aims to classify xylazine as a Schedule III substance under the Controlled Substances Act while maintaining its legitimate use in veterinary medicine.
The issue has drawn attention due to the increasing presence of xylazine in illicit drug supplies, which poses new risks for public health and law enforcement. The legislation has received support from major law enforcement groups representing over one million officers, more than seventy organizations for veterinary professionals and livestock producers, two national coalitions of bereaved families, as well as federal agencies including the Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Office of National Drug Policy.
The National Association of Police Organizations said, “Xylazine is now found in more than a third of all fentanyl powder tested by the Drug Enforcement Administration – up from 12% in 2021 to over 37% at the end of 2024 … The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act would classify xylazine as a Schedule III drug, invoking penalties on those who choose to illicitly use and distribute the drug, giving law enforcement the tools necessary to fight the spread of this deadly poison in our communities. We respectfully urge the Committee to move this bipartisan legislation forward.”
The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association said that growing xylazine use creates new dangers for communities and challenges for law enforcement. "The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act provides investigators with important tools to track this substance and disrupt the criminal networks responsible for distributing it, while preserving legitimate veterinary uses. FLEOA thanks Chuck Grassley, Catherine Cortez Masto and the other bipartisan supporters of this legislation for their leadership in addressing this emerging threat. We urge Congress to move this important legislation forward.”
Victims’ advocacy groups such as VOID and Facing Fentanyl also voiced support: “Families impacted by fentanyl understand all too well how quickly a dangerous substance can spread across the country before meaningful action is taken... We now see similar patterns with the proliferation of xylazine in the illicit drug supply… We respectfully urge the Senate Judiciary Committee to move forward with the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act... Families across the country are counting on Congress to act before this threat grows further.”
Veterinary associations highlighted that after two years of discussions among stakeholders and federal agencies, provisions were included in the bill to preserve critical animal care uses while enhancing transparency for regulators. The Iowa Veterinary Medical Association said that it supports striking a balance between community protection and access for veterinarians.
Federal agencies echoed these concerns. The Department of Justice stated that greater authorities are needed against transnational criminal organizations manufacturing fentanyl-laced drugs: “Adding xylazine...to Schedule III...” would help address these threats. The Department of Health and Human Services described legislative scheduling as appropriate given public health risks but agreed with measures ensuring continued veterinary access.
The Senate Judiciary Committee plays an influential role nationwide through its legislative work affecting constitutional protections, civil rights, public safety, judicial nominations oversight, federal law enforcement review, and legal matters according to its official website. Based in Washington D.C., it is led by a chairperson overseeing meetings attended by senators from both major parties according to its official website.
As debate continues ahead of Thursday’s vote, supporters argue that advancing this bill will provide law enforcement with new tools while safeguarding essential animal care practices.
