Vindman-Led Bill to Protect Americans and Combat Deadly Nitazenes Passes Out of Committee

In August 2025, Vindman Introduced the First-Ever Bill in Congress to Combat the Alarming Rise of Nitazenes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A bipartisan bill led by U.S. Representatives Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07) and Bob Latta (R-Ohio-05) to crack down on deadly synthetic opioids and keep communities safe yesterday advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

"Nitazenes are the next fentanyl - stronger, deadlier, and already threatening communities across the country. I'm proud to see my bipartisan bill advance out of committee, bringing us one step closer to giving law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on these dangerous synthetic opioids. But there's more work to do," said Vindman. "I'll keep fighting to get this legislation across the finish line because every family deserves to be protected from this growing threat."

The Strengthening Tools to Outlaw Poisonous (STOP) Nitazenes Act would permanently classify 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids, commonly known as nitazenes, as Schedule I controlled substances. As overdose deaths continue to claim lives across the country, nitazenes have emerged as an increasingly dangerous threat. These illicit synthetic opioids are significantly more potent than fentanyl and are contributing to a growing number of fatal overdoses nationwide.

The legislation would also give law enforcement the resources 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.

BACKGROUND

In August 2025, Vindman introduced the first-ever bill in Congress to combat the nitazene crisis. The Nitazene Control Act of 2026 would close loopholes that traffickers exploit by making slight chemical changes to evade enforcement.

Later that month, Vindmantoured the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Clandestine Lab & Training Facility in Quantico, Virginia. During his 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. He has also introduced legislation to block the spread of fentanyl at the southern border and study the sale of illicit opioids to young people online.

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