Judiciary Committee Advances Bipartisan Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, Additional Legislation and Two U.S. Marshals

WASHINTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, led by Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), by a vote of 19-3.

Xylazine is a highly toxic veterinary tranquilizer that has been increasingly used as a cheap cutting agent for fentanyl and other narcotics. The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act would classify xylazine as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act, while protecting its legitimate use by veterinarians, farmers and ranchers.

"Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard the tragic stories of American families who've been devastated by xylazine. This week, the committee took decisive action to advance bipartisan legislation that would crack down on xylazine traffickers, equip law enforcement with new tools to combat its spread and protect the drug's legitimate use by veterinarians, ranchers and cattlemen," Grassley said. "I'm proud of our committee's longstanding and bipartisan efforts to protect Americans from the scourge of illegal drugs and am grateful for Senator Cortez Masto's partnership on this bill. I'll continue working to ensure this lifesaving legislation is signed into law."

The bipartisan legislation has widespread support from over ninety national, state and local law enforcement and veterinary organizations, hundreds of bereaved families and the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Office of National Drug Policy. Both the Biden and Trump administrations have backed the legislative proposal.

A full list of supporting organizations can be found HERE and a fact sheet HERE.

Photos of families who advocated in Washington on behalf of the bill are available HERE.

The Judiciary Committee additionally advanced by voice vote the Count the Crimes to Cut Act, led by Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), and the Protecting Americans from Russian Litigation Act of 2025, led by Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), as well as the following nominations:

• Brian Gootkin, to be United States Marshal for the District of Montana, by a vote of 12-10; and
• James Stuart, to be United States Marshal for the District of Minnesota, by a vote of 20-2.

Watch the executive business meeting HERE. Read Grassley's opening statement HERE.

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