[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 188 (Wednesday, December 18, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H7335-H7337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DETECTION EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION TO COUNTER THE THREAT OF
FENTANYL AND XYLAZINE ACT OF 2024
Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
concur in the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 8663) to require the
Science and Technology Directorate in the Department of Homeland
Security to develop greater capacity to detect, identify, and disrupt
illicit substances in very low concentrations.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the Senate amendments is as follows:
Senate amendments:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLES.
This Act may be cited as the ``Detection Equipment and
Technology Evaluation to Counter the Threat of Fentanyl and
Xylazine Act of 2024'' or the ``DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine
Act of 2024''.
SEC. 2. ENHANCING THE CAPACITY TO DETECT AND IDENTIFY DRUGS
SUCH AS FENTANYL AND XYLAZINE.
Section 302 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C.
182) is amended--
[[Page H7336]]
(1) in paragraph (13), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (14), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(15) carrying out, in coordination with the Drug
Enforcement Administration, research, development, testing,
evaluation, and cost-benefit analyses to improve the safety,
effectiveness, and efficiency of equipment and the
effectiveness and efficiency of reference libraries for use
by Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial law
enforcement agencies for the accurate detection of drugs,
such as fentanyl and xylazine, including--
``(A) portable equipment that can detect and identify drugs
with minimal or no handling of the sample;
``(B) equipment that can separate complex mixtures
containing low concentrations of drugs and high
concentrations of cutting agents into their component parts
to enable signature extraction for field identification and
detection; and
``(C) technologies that use machine learning or artificial
intelligence (as defined in section 5002 of the National
Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 (15 U.S.C.
9401)) and other techniques to predict whether the substances
in a sample are controlled substance analogues or other new
psychoactive substances not yet included in available
reference libraries.''.
SEC. 3. REQUIREMENTS.
In carrying out section 302(15) of the Homeland Security
Act of 2002, as added by section 2, the Under Secretary for
Science and Technology shall--
(1) follow the recommendations, guidelines, and best
practices described in the Artificial Intelligence Risk
Management Framework (NIST AI 100-1) or any successor
document published by the National Institute of Standards and
Technology; and
(2) establish the Directorate of Science and Technology's
research, development, testing, evaluation, and cost-benefit
analysis priorities under such section 302(15) based on the
latest available information, including specific drugs
identified as threats in--
(A) the latest Homeland Threat Assessment published by the
Department of Homeland Security;
(B) the latest State and Territory Report on Enduring and
Emerging Threats published by the Drug Enforcement
Administration; or
(C) any successor documents.
SEC. 4. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act may be construed to limit the authority
of agencies currently managing, overseeing, or otherwise
involved in drug equipment and reference libraries.
Amend the title so as to read: ``An Act to require the
Science and Technology Directorate in the Department of
Homeland Security to develop greater capacity to detect and
identify illicit substances in very low concentrations.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Tennessee (Mr. Green) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Kennedy)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.
General Leave
Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and to include extraneous material on the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Tennessee?
There was no objection.
Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today, once again, with a strong voice of support
for H.R. 8663, the DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act of 2024. This
critical piece of legislation will equip DHS S&T with the authority it
needs to improve the safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of drug
detection equipment and reference libraries to protect frontline DHS
personnel who seek to protect our Nation from the flow of illicit
fentanyl and other drugs amidst the catastrophic mess at our southwest
border.
I am glad that the Senate took swift action and passed this measure
and concur with the amendment, which requires DHS to coordinate with
the DEA and upholds the authority of other Federal agencies utilizing
drug equipment and reference libraries.
I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaLota) for his diligent
work on this legislation in the House, as well as the gentleman from
California (Mr. Correa).
I also thank Senator Cornyn of Texas for working across Chambers and
championing this important legislation through the Senate.
I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill so we can get it to
the President's desk as soon as possible, and I reserve the balance of
my time.
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8663, the Detection Equipment and Technology
Evaluation to Counter the Threat of Fentanyl and Xylazine Act of 2024
is an important piece of legislation that enables the DHS Science and
Technology Directorate to improve the capabilities of law enforcement
at every level in identifying and combating illicit substances.
This bipartisan bill demonstrates a strong commitment to equipping
law enforcement with the tools needed to combat the proliferation of
dangerous substances like fentanyl and xylazine.
The bill specifically directs DHS S&T to develop and evaluate
advanced drug detection technologies like machines that can break down
and analyze complex drug mixtures and AI systems to spot new drug
threats.
These initiatives aim to enhance the precision and efficiency of drug
detection, empowering law enforcement to respond effectively to
evolving challenges.
Furthermore, H.R. 8663, prioritizes collaboration with agencies like
the DEA and adherence to NIST's artificial intelligence risk management
framework, reinforcing the integrity and reliability of the
technologies developed.
This bill is an important step in ensuring that DHS prioritizes the
development and deployment of cutting-edge technologies to combat the
growing threat of dangerous substances like fentanyl and xylazine so
DHS will be better equipped to address emerging drug trends, protect
public safety, and support law enforcement efforts nationwide.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R.
8663 as we did in the past, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaLota).
Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Tennessee for
yielding. I was anxious about the chairman of the Homeland Security
Committee yielding because his alma mater team, West Point, lost to my
alma mater Annapolis this weekend 31-13 at the premier football game,
so I appreciate the chairman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, the fight against fentanyl and xylazine is a battle that
we cannot afford to lose, and right now the United States is at a
crossroads.
Our communities are grappling with a devastating crisis as lethal
drugs like fentanyl and xylazine continue to wreak havoc across our
country.
Today, we have a chance to deliver solutions. The amended version of
my DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act is back before us and it is a
stronger, more comprehensive tool to tackle this epidemic.
Every year, over 100,000 precious American lives are lost to drug
overdoses.
In 2023 alone, opioids were responsible for more than 81,000 deaths.
Fentanyl, accounting for nearly 90 percent of synthetic opioid
fatalities, claimed tens of thousands of lives, shattering families and
leaving communities in mourning.
These numbers are tragic reminders of the lives we are losing every
day.
{time} 1230
Now, xylazine, a tranquilizer known on the streets as tranq, is being
mixed with fentanyl, creating an even deadlier and harder to detect
combination.
This toxic mix does not spare anyone. It claims lives regardless of
age, race, or socioeconomic status. From suburban Long Island to urban
centers and rural America, this crisis is everywhere, Mr. Speaker.
Earlier this year, the House passed the DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine
Act with overwhelming bipartisan support. Since then, our Senate
colleagues have worked to refine and enhance the legislation to better
address the growing threat. Their amendments make a strong bill even
stronger by ensuring our efforts are as coordinated and effective as
possible.
The updated bill includes important improvements.
One, it mandates greater collaboration between the Department of
Homeland Security and the Drug Enforcement Administration, ensuring
that expertise and resources are shared in this fight.
Two, it prioritizes accuracy, efficiency, and innovation in drug
detection technologies, including improving
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reference libraries to ensure no deadly substance escapes detection.
Three, Mr. Speaker, it aligns research priorities with specific
threats, incorporating not only DEA reports but also the latest
Homeland Threat Assessment to address emerging challenges.
Finally, four, it preserves the authorities of Federal agencies
managing detection equipment and reference libraries, maintaining a
seamless response across departments.
These changes reflect the urgency and complexity of the crisis that
we as a nation face.
This legislation will empower our law enforcement officers, public
health workers, and communities by developing cutting-edge technology
to detect and intercept dangerous substances; strengthening
partnerships between Federal, State, and local agencies; and staying
ahead of drug traffickers' tactics through innovation and advanced
research.
This bill is more than just policy. It is a commitment to saving
American lives.
Mr. Speaker, every overdose prevented means a family spared from
grief, a child with a parent, and a community with hope.
I express my deep appreciation for my good friend, Congressman Lou
Correa, for joining me in championing this important legislation. His
steadfast dedication to this cause along with Senators John Cornyn, Jon
Ossoff, and Kyrsten Sinema's thoughtful contributions are getting the
bill over the finish line and onto the President's desk.
I also thank the many organizations representing law enforcement
professionals, public health advocates, and local communities. Their
input has been invaluable.
Mr. Speaker, the clock is ticking, and lives are at stake. Let us
come together once again to pass the amended DETECT Fentanyl and
Xylazine Act and send it to the President's desk.
Let us give our law enforcement the tools that they need, and let us
stand with our communities. Let us take a giant leap toward ending this
deadly epidemic.
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to
close.
Republicans and Democrats alike recognize the challenges facing law
enforcement in the detection of dangerous drugs like fentanyl and
xylazine.
H.R. 8663 is a step in the right direction, and we should send it to
the President's desk today.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my
time.
Again, I strongly urge my colleagues to concur in the Senate
amendments to H.R. 8663, and I appreciate the New Yorkers who
contributed to this bill as well as Mr. Correa. I yield back the
balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Green) that the House suspend the rules
and concur in the Senate amendments to the bill, H.R. 8663.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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