Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8535) to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop performance metrics relating to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of fentanyl, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 8535

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This act may be cited as the ``Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act''. SEC. 2. COMBATTING ILLICIT FENTANYL.

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall--

(1) ensure that each component of the Department of Homeland Security engaged in the detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl--

(A) to the extent practicable, collaborate and share relevant information and data relating to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl with other components of the Department of Homeland Security engaged in such detection, deterrence, and seizure or the measurement thereof; and

(B) identify any barriers to sharing relevant information and data pursuant to paragraph (1); and

(2) establish performance metrics relating to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl for the Department of Homeland Security and each component of such Department and ensure that such metrics align with any strategic objectives and goals of the Department related to the efforts of the Department to combat illicit fentanyl trafficking.

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Mr. GARBARINO. 8535.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8535, the Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act. This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop performance metrics relating to detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl for the Department of Homeland Security and each of its components.

Additionally, this bill requires each relevant DHS component to share information related to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of fentanyl with each other, as well as identify any barriers to sharing information and data.

The fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act required DHS to establish a program to collect data and develop measures to assess the effectiveness of efforts to detect and deter illicit fentanyl. It also required the Government Accountability Office to audit the program.

A September 2025 GAO report analyzed the Department's efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking, with findings that DHS had not yet established the program, that CBP was not provided adequate information from across DHS components that would inform the program, and that DHS had not developed performance goals and metrics to track them.

This legislation will support current DHS efforts to implement these requirements and combat the flow of illicit fentanyl into the United States.

Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate and thank Mr. Walkinshaw for his hard work on this bill. It is a great piece of legislation. I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 8535, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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