Reps. Walkinshaw, McCaul Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Crack Down on Fentanyl Trafficking

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives James Walkinshaw (VA-11) and Michael McCaul (TX-10) today introduced the Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act, bipartisan legislation that would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish clear performance metrics for detecting, deterring, and seizing fentanyl — and break down the information silos that have hampered a coordinated federal response. "Fentanyl is the number one killer of Americans between the ages of 18 and 45. Every single day, families across this country are burying their children, their loved ones, their neighbors because of this illicit drug. We have a moral obligation to do everything in our power to stop it. That starts with making sure every component of DHS working this problem is coordinated, accountable, and working as effectively as possible. I’m proud to introduce this legislation alongside Rep. McCaul because this bill makes that happen. We owe it to all the families impacted by this modern-day plague to stop the flow of fentanyl into our communities," said Rep. Walkinshaw . "In the past five years, fentanyl has claimed the lives of at least 250,000 young Americans. Stopping this generational crisis must be our number one priority,” said Rep. McCaul . “I’m proud to introduce the Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act alongside Rep. Walkinshaw to ensure DHS has the tools and methods in place to decisively stop the flow of this deadly drug into our nation and save American lives." The bill comes after a September 2025 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that DHS’s ability to fully assess the effectiveness of its efforts to combat fentanyl remains limited. Despite Congressional mandates in the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, which required DHS to implement a fentanyl data and assessment program, GAO found that DHS components require clearer performance goals to measure its efforts. Additionally, DHS must strengthen important data-sharing procedures across all DHS components responsible for countering fentanyl trafficking, undermining accountability, and the effectiveness of its response. The legislation would require DHS-wide data sharing, ensure full implementation of the assessment program Congress already mandated, and establish clear performance goals and measures to track how effectively the department is combating the flow of fentanyl and protecting our communities. Fentanyl remains the leading driver of drug overdose deaths in the United States. Without consistent metrics and coordination across CBP, ICE, and other DHS components, it is difficult to assess what is working and where resources should be directed. The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program is in support of this effort to better ensure information sharing to deter, detect, and seize illicit fentanyl.  Sharing information and measuring impact is critical to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations. The bill was also co-sponsored by Rep. Michael Guest (MS-03) and Rep. Lou Correa (CA-46), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement. Read the full bill text here . ###