OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Testing, Rapid Analysis, and Narcotic Quality Research Act of 2023

Floor Speech

Date: Dec. 4, 2023
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding and for his leadership on the Science Committee. It is great serving with him on the committee of the future.

I rise in support of the TRANQ Research Act, which I introduced in March. It passed the Science Committee and the House unanimously. It then passed the Senate unanimously after it had been amended to include some technical changes and a reporting requirement on America's ability to address the growing threat of new psychoactive drugs. I support these changes, and I ask all Members to join me in sending this commonsense bill to the President for his signature.

As you will recall, the TRANQ Research Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to study dangerous fentanyl additives like xylazine that are putting the public and law enforcement at risk.

Xylazine, which is also known as the zombie drug, is a dangerous substance containing a veterinary tranquilizer which makes fentanyl even more dangerous than it already is. The zombie drug has been popping up in nearly every State, and the DEA is reporting a substantial increase in the amount of fentanyl seized that contains this deadly additive.

Exposure--and that is right, just exposure--to these drugs, whether you are taking them or not, can be deadly, and that means that law enforcement officers who are finding these drugs are in danger. This research is going to help them identify ways to detect fentanyl and its additives in the field and therefore take appropriate measures to protect themselves while keeping our communities safe.

Mr. Speaker, this bill is one piece of a much larger fight against fentanyl and the other drugs plaguing our communities and ending so many lives prematurely. By understanding what these additives are, how to test for them, and how to safely handle them, we can better protect our first responders and our Border Patrol agents.

I thank everyone who has made this moment possible: Representative Caraveo, Chairman Lucas, Ranking Member Lofgren, members of the Science Committee. I thank them for helping get this bill across the finish line.

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