Pfluger, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Protect Americans and Combat Deadly Nitazene

WASHINGTON, DC - As first reported in The Blaze, Representatives August Pfluger (TX-11), Michael Baumgartner (WA-05), and Eugene Vindman (VA-07) introduced the House version of Senator

Schmitt's Detection Equipment and Technology Evaluation to Counter the Threat of Nitazenes Act of 2026 (DETECT Nitazenes Act) to address the alarming rise in nitazenes, a new class of synthetic opioids that are stronger and deadlier than fentanyl.

This bipartisan, bicameral legislation directs the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate to coordinate with the Drug Enforcement Administration to enhance technologies to detect illicit substances, particularly nitazenes, at extremely low concentrations.

It will also give law enforcement the resources, research, capacity, and technology needed to interdict and eliminate nitazenes. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) added nitazenes to its 2025 National Drug Threat assessment, further emphasizing the need for legislation to combat this drug.

"Nitazenes are an emerging class of illicit drugs that pose a serious threat to Americans' health and safety, yet today, these deadly drugs have not received the level of attention necessary to combat them. The DETECT Nitazenes Act will close critical gaps in detection capabilities, support law enforcement efforts, and improve public safety outcomes by enabling faster and more accurate identification of these deadly substances. As the risk from synthetic drugs continues to evolve, this legislation ensures that we remain prepared to respond to the next generation of deadly narcotics and protect our communities," said Rep. August Pfluger.

"Nitazenes are poised to become the next deadly wave of the opioid crisis - cheaper than fentanyl, easy to traffic, and even more lethal. As cartels quietly mix these drugs into counterfeit pills and powders, too many communities are being put at risk without even knowing it. The DETECT Nitazenes Act gives law enforcement the tools they need to actually find and stop this threat. I am proud to lead this bipartisan effort to keep our communities safe and stay one step ahead of the cartels," said Rep. Michael Baumgartner.

"For months, I've been working to stop the spread of dangerous nitazenes - highly potent synthetic drugs deemed 'the new fentanyl' that are devastating communities across Virginia and the country," said Rep. Eugene Vindman. "I'm proud to co-lead a bipartisan bill to strengthen law enforcement's ability to detect and stop the spread of these deadly substances before they claim more lives. We cannot wait for this crisis to escalate further. I will continue working to confront the growing threat of nitazenes with the urgency it demands."

"Nitazenes are powerful synthetic opioids that are stronger than fentanyl, cheaper to produce, and devastatingly lethal. These deadly drugs are taking American lives, and we must get smart on them before they devastate communities across Missouri and the nation. I was proud to introduce the DETECT Nitazenes Act in the Senate and am encouraged to see my colleagues introduce it in the House. I urge both the House and the Senate to take up this critical bill to help tackle this crisis before nitazenes get out of control," said Senator Eric Schmitt.

Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) are all original co-sponsors on the Senate version. Read more on the Senate version here.

Full text of the bill can be found here.

Read more about the legislation in The Blaze here.