Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8535
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-24: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 0.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-08T20:03:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act (H.R. 8535) aims to strengthen the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) efforts to detect, deter, and seize illicit fentanyl—a highly dangerous synthetic opioid—by requiring better internal coordination and measurable performance standards.
Key Provisions
- Within one year of enactment, the DHS Secretary must:
- Ensure all DHS components (e.g., agencies or offices) involved in fentanyl detection, deterrence, and seizure collaborate and share relevant information and data with each other.
- Have these components identify any barriers (obstacles) to effective data sharing.
- Establish performance metrics (specific, measurable goals or benchmarks) for the entire DHS and its components related to fentanyl detection, deterrence, and seizure.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces new mandates for mandatory collaboration, barrier identification, and performance metrics within DHS.
- No explicit amendments to prior laws; this adds accountability tools to existing fentanyl enforcement activities without altering budgets or authorities.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Improves internal DHS coordination, potentially leading to more effective fentanyl interdiction (stopping drugs at borders or entry points) and better resource use.
- On citizens: Could reduce fentanyl availability, lowering overdose deaths and related public health crises.
- On international relations: Indirectly pressures foreign suppliers (e.g., via enhanced U.S. border enforcement) but focuses domestically on DHS operations.
Main Stakeholders
- DHS and its components (e.g., Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement): Directly responsible for implementation.
- Congress: Gains oversight tools through metrics for evaluating DHS performance.
- Law enforcement and public health officials: Benefit from improved data sharing.
- U.S. citizens: Affected by changes in fentanyl trafficking and overdose rates.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Enhances administrative accountability without new enforcement powers; metrics could support future congressional funding or audits.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues, as it operates within executive branch operations and congressional oversight authority.
- Political: Addresses the national opioid crisis, likely bipartisan appeal (introduced by members from both parties), emphasizing measurable results over new spending.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-24: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 0.
- 2026-06-24: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-06-24: Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Discharged
- 2026-04-28: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
- 2026-04-27: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
- 2026-04-27: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act — issued 2026-04-27 — PDF (2 pages)