[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H4398]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               MEASURING ILLICIT FENTANYL TRAFFICKING ACT

  Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 8535) to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to 
develop performance metrics relating to the detection, deterrence, and 
seizure of fentanyl, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 8535

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This act may be cited as the ``Measuring Illicit Fentanyl 
     Trafficking Act''.

     SEC. 2. COMBATTING ILLICIT FENTANYL.

       Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall--
       (1) ensure that each component of the Department of 
     Homeland Security engaged in the detection, deterrence, and 
     seizure of illicit fentanyl--
       (A) to the extent practicable, collaborate and share 
     relevant information and data relating to the detection, 
     deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl with other 
     components of the Department of Homeland Security engaged in 
     such detection, deterrence, and seizure or the measurement 
     thereof; and
       (B) identify any barriers to sharing relevant information 
     and data pursuant to paragraph (1); and
       (2) establish performance metrics relating to the 
     detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl for 
     the Department of Homeland Security and each component of 
     such Department and ensure that such metrics align with any 
     strategic objectives and goals of the Department related to 
     the efforts of the Department to combat illicit fentanyl 
     trafficking.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Garbarino) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             general leave

  Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 8535.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8535, the Measuring Illicit 
Fentanyl Trafficking Act. This legislation requires the Secretary of 
Homeland Security to develop performance metrics relating to detection, 
deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl for the Department of 
Homeland Security and each of its components.
  Additionally, this bill requires each relevant DHS component to share 
information related to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of 
fentanyl with each other, as well as identify any barriers to sharing 
information and data.
  The fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act required DHS 
to establish a program to collect data and develop measures to assess 
the effectiveness of efforts to detect and deter illicit fentanyl. It 
also required the Government Accountability Office to audit the 
program.
  A September 2025 GAO report analyzed the Department's efforts to 
combat fentanyl trafficking, with findings that DHS had not yet 
established the program, that CBP was not provided adequate information 
from across DHS components that would inform the program, and that DHS 
had not developed performance goals and metrics to track them.
  This legislation will support current DHS efforts to implement these 
requirements and combat the flow of illicit fentanyl into the United 
States.
  Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALKINSHAW. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 8535, the bipartisan Measuring Illicit Fentanyl 
Trafficking Act, is based on the nonpartisan research and 
recommendations of the Government Accountability Office, which last 
year examined the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to detect, 
deter, and seize illicit fentanyl.
  GAO identified critical gaps in DHS efforts against fentanyl 
trafficking: a lack of coordination, information sharing, and measures 
to assess DHS' effectiveness.
  As a result, GAO made three straightforward recommendations: first, 
establish a program to collect data and measure effectiveness; second, 
ensure access to information across DHS components; and, third, develop 
performance goals and measures aligned with DHS' strategic objectives. 
Our bill simply would put into law those commonsense recommendations.
  Fentanyl remains one of the most devastating public safety and public 
health challenges facing our Nation. The scourge of fentanyl 
trafficking is sobering. CDC data showed that fentanyl accounted for 
over 69 percent of all drug overdose deaths in the United States in 
2025. Last year alone, in the D.C. metropolitan region, there were 
nearly 1,000 deaths due to fentanyl overdose.
  With lives, resources, and time on the line, it is important for DHS 
personnel to not only work hard in the fight against illicit fentanyl 
but to also work smart against this enormous challenge. That requires 
collaboration and the ability to assess how their operations are having 
an impact.
  Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. McCaul, who was my co-lead on this 
legislation. I thank the chairman, Ranking Member Thompson, and Mr. 
Correa, as well, who worked hard on it.
  As I said, this bipartisan legislation would put three GAO 
recommendations for combating illicit fentanyl into law. It would 
require the establishment of a program to collect data and measure the 
effectiveness of current efforts to counter illicit fentanyl, ensure 
information sharing across DHS components, and require the development 
of performance goals and measures.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting H.R. 8535, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Madam Speaker, I congratulate and thank Mr. Walkinshaw for his hard 
work on this bill. It is a great piece of legislation. I encourage my 
colleagues to support H.R. 8535, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Van Duyne). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8535, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill To direct 
the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop performance metrics 
relating to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl, 
and for other purposes.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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