A bipartisan bill led by U.S. Reps. Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07) and Bob Latta (R-Ohio-05) to crack down on deadly synthetic opioids passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The legislation, which targets nitazenes, a new class of synthetic opioids that are stronger and deadlier than fentanyl, now heads to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for a full chamber vote.
“Since I arrived in Congress, I’ve been working to stop the spread of dangerous nitazenes — highly potent synthetic drugs deemed ‘the new fentanyl’ that are devastating communities across Virginia and the country,” said Vindman. “I’m proud to help lead this critical legislation that will strengthen efforts to combat this growing threat and save lives. I look forward to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this commonsense bill across the finish line.”
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, research, capacity, and technology 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.
In August, Vindman introduced the the Nitazene Control Act of 2026 which would close loopholes that traffickers exploit by making slight chemical changes to evade enforcement.
Later that month, Vindman toured the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Clandestine Lab & Training Facility in Quantico. During the visit, agents emphasized the urgent need for Congress to take action against nitazenes.
Vindman has backed 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.
