The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the Combatting Illicit Xylazine Act by a vote of 19–3, marking a significant step forward for bipartisan legislation aimed at addressing the growing role of xylazine in overdose deaths. The bill is led by Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and has drawn broad bipartisan support from lawmakers, veterinary organizations and federal agencies.
As momentum builds in Congress, veterinary leaders are working to ensure those efforts do not unintentionally disrupt animal care. The focus has shifted to how regulation can be implemented without restricting access for the veterinarians and producers who rely on the drug every day.
In the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing held Thursday afternoon, stakeholders from law enforcement, public health and veterinary medicine outlined the risks and realities surrounding xylazine use.
Xylazine’s Dual Reality
Xylazine occupies a unique position in the U.S. drug landscape. It is a widely used veterinary sedative with a long track record of safety and effectiveness, yet it has also emerged as a concerning component of the illicit drug supply, frequently detected alongside fentanyl and other opioids.
Its growing presence in human drug use has raised alarm among lawmakers and public health officials. Federal officials and lawmakers have pointed to the growing presence of xylazine in the illicit drug supply as a key driver of concern. Because xylazine is not an opioid, its effects are not reversed by naloxone, complicating overdose response and increasing risk.
At the same time, veterinary professionals emphasize its role in animal care is both established and difficult to replace.
Speaking during the hearing, Fred Gingrich, DVM, executive director of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, underscored the need for balance:
“We believe this legislation represents a thoughtful, balanced and urgently needed solution that both addresses the serious human health threat and preserves access to this essential drug for legitimate veterinary use. The veterinary community is deeply concerned about the public health crisis caused by the rapid proliferation of illicit xylazine being found in combination with fentanyl and other opioids.”
A Cornerstone of Veterinary Practice
For more than five decades, xylazine has been a foundational tool in veterinary medicine, particularly in large animal practice. Its value lies not only in its pharmacologic effects but also in its practicality in real-world conditions.
“As a non-narcotic, FDA-approved veterinary sedative, xylazine has been used for over 50 years to facilitate the safe handling, restraint and treatment of a broad range of animal species. It is particularly important for use in livestock, zoo and wildlife species, as well as in research settings,” Gingrich says.
In cattle, its importance is even more pronounced. Effective sedation is not simply a matter of convenience — it is essential for safe handling, proper treatment and minimizing stress.
“In cattle, there is no safe practical alternative for sedation. Without xylazine, veterinarians and producers face significantly increased risks of injury, and animals may be subjected to unnecessary stress or harm during medical procedures,” Gingrich says.
The Risk of Regulatory Overreach
As concern about illicit xylazine has grown, so too has interest in bringing the drug under federal control. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has indicated a desire to schedule xylazine under the Controlled Substances Act.
However, current law presents a critical limitation. The Controlled Substances Act does not allow the DEA to create exemptions for specific user groups, including veterinarians. Gingrich emphasizes administrative scheduling alone could restrict veterinary access, increase regulatory burden and disrupt supply.
“Administrative scheduling would unintentionally restrict how veterinarians use the drug and create burdensome regulatory barriers and jeopardize the continuing availability of the drug in the legitimate marketplace. A disruption in the availability of xylazine would have profound consequences,” Gingrich says.
Gingrich also notes supply constraints could amplify the impact of regulatory changes, with only a limited number of manufacturers currently producing the drug. In a low-margin market, additional regulatory or financial burdens could further threaten availability.
A Legislative Path Forward
The Combatting Illicit Xylazine Act would classify xylazine as a Schedule III substance under the Controlled Substances Act, enabling better tracking of its manufacture and distribution while strengthening enforcement against illicit use. At the same time, it includes provisions to ensure veterinarians, producers and researchers can continue to access the drug.
The bill also addresses how veterinary medicine differs from human healthcare, particularly in how drugs are prescribed, dispensed and used in real-world settings. In large animal practice, veterinarians often work with farm owners, employees and caregivers rather than a single individual patient and may rely on responsible on-farm use under veterinary oversight.
Support for the bill is broad, spanning veterinary organizations, law enforcement groups and federal agencies, reflecting a rare alignment across sectors.
What Is at Stake for Veterinary Practice
For veterinarians, the implications of the legislation not passing are immediate:
- Increased risk of injury during handling and procedures
- Reduced ability to perform timely and humane interventions
- Greater stress on animals during restraint
- Operational challenges for producers, particularly those with limited facilities
These risks extend beyond clinical settings, affecting the broader agricultural system where safe and efficient animal handling is essential.
Avoiding a Fragmented Approach
In the absence of federal action, several states have already begun exploring or implementing their own restrictions on xylazine. While well-intentioned, these efforts raise concerns about a potential patchwork regulatory system that could complicate compliance and disrupt supply chains.
A unified federal framework aims to prevent that outcome by establishing consistent standards while maintaining access for legitimate users.
Veterinary organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association and the AABP, have taken an active role in shaping policy discussions.
“Legislative action on xylazine is not only preferable, but it is essential. The legislation has been endorsed by all 50 state veterinary medical associations and numerous national stakeholder groups,” Gingrich says.
As lawmakers weigh next steps, the challenge is clear: addressing a growing public health threat without disrupting a long-established tool in veterinary medicine. Regulation must be precise enough to target misuse while preserving access to a drug that remains central to safe and humane animal care.
