Vindman, Pfluger, & Baumgartner Introduce Legislation to Protect Americans and Combat Deadly Nitazenes

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07), August Pfluger (R-Texas-11), Michael Baumgartner (R-Wash.-05) introduced a bipartisan bill 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 (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate to coordinate with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to enhance technologies to detect illicit substances, particularly nitazenes, at extremely low concentrations.

"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 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."

The legislation will also give law enforcement the resources, research, capacity, and technology needed to interdict and eliminate nitazenes. The 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 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," said Baumgartner. "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."

The bill is led in the U.S. Senate by Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo). U.S. Senators Dave McCormick (R-Penn.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) are all original co-sponsors on the legislation.

"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," said Schmitt. "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."

You can read the full bill text here.

BACKGROUND

In August 2025, Vindman and Baumgartner introduced the first-ever bill in Congress to address the alarming rise of nitazenes. The bipartisan, bicameral Nitazene Control Act would permanently schedule the entire class of nitazenes under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. The introduction of this bill marked a major milestone in Congress's effort to combat the opioid epidemic.

Also in August, Vindman and Baumgartner toured the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Clandestine Lab & Training Facility in Quantico, Virginia. During their visit, agents emphasized the urgent need for Congress to take action against deadly nitazenes.

Vindman has also long been engaged in the fight against the fentanyl epidemic - backing the HALT Fentanyl Act, the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, and increased federal resources for law enforcement and treatment programs to address the opioid crisis.

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