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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, issued the following statement following the House passage of three Committee-led bills to combat the manufacturing of illicit drugs and to protect Americans from dangerous substances, like fentanyl. 

“I am glad to see the House take action to pass three House Energy and Commerce bills to build upon our work of combating illicit drugs that have devastated communities across our nation, especially here in Kentucky,” said Congressman Guthrie. “These bipartisan bills will provide law enforcement additional tools to combat the production of fentanyl and other illicit drugs, protect Americans from dangerous substances, increase access to fentanyl testing, and most importantly save lives.”

Background: 

H.R. 1266, Combating Illicit Xylazine Act – This legislation passed the House of Representatives unanimously. If enacted, this bill would place xylazine in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act and amend the definition of “ultimate user” to allow xylazine to continue to be lawfully administered for legitimate veterinary purposes. This bill requires a report to Congress on the prevalence and proliferation of xylazine trafficking and misuse in the United States.

H.R. 8005, Stop Pills That Kill Act – This legislation passed the House of Representatives unanimously. If enacted, this bill would seek to prevent the misuse of pill press machines and their critical parts for the illicit manufacture of a controlled substance by strengthening the DEA’s ability to conduct regulatory oversight of pill press machines and their critical parts.

H.R. 2004, Tyler’s Law – This legislation passed the House of Representatives unanimously. If enacted, this bill would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to complete a study and issue guidance on whether hospital emergency departments should implement fentanyl testing as a routine procedure for patients experiencing an overdose.