Collins’ TRANQ Research Act Passes Science Committee, Next Stop is the House Floor

Washington - Today, Representative Mike Collins’ (R-Ga.) bill, H.R. 1734, the Testing, Rapid Analysis, and Narcotic Quality (TRANQ) Research Act was marked up and reported to the whole House by the House Science, Space and Technology Committee (SST). Collins introduced this legislation last week with Representative Yadira Caraveo (D-Colo.), Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), and Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). Collins released this statement after the markup:

“Thank you to Representative Caraveo, Chairman Lucas, and Ranking Member Lofgren for making the TRANQ Act a priority for the Science Committee. This bill will provide crucial research funding that will identify deadly fentanyl additives like the ‘Zombie Drug.’ This is a high priority to help protect law enforcement and border agents fighting to keep Americans safe against this deadly drug.”

Background

The TRANQ Research Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to deepen its partnerships and strategically focus on the science needed to detect, identify, and better understand synthetic opioids. One particularly dangerous fentanyl analogue contains xylazine—a veterinary tranquilizer. Tranq, also known as the Zombie Drug, has gruesome side effects, causing large wounds that won’t heal, and is resistant to standard opioid overdose treatments. Its use is skyrocketing across the country and contributing to an ever-growing number of drug overdoses.

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