WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) is earning national attention for his bipartisan legislation to combat nitazenes — a class of highly potent synthetic opioids that are quickly emerging as the “next fentanyl.”
“Nitazenes are devastating communities across Virginia and the country, and we can’t afford to wait to take action,” said Vindman. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get my important bill, the Nitazene Control Act, across the finish line and give law enforcement the tools they need to save lives.”
In August 2025, Vindman introduced the first-ever bill in Congress to address the alarming rise of nitazenes alongside Congressman Michael Baumgartner (R-Wash.-05).
FOX News recently highlighted their efforts, noting that the legislation would close dangerous loopholes and help law enforcement crack down on the trafficking of nitazenes, which are driving a surge in overdoses across Virginia and the country.
The bipartisan bill has also been picked up by the New York Post and other outlets, underscoring the urgency of addressing the threat of nitazenes before they spiral further out of control. Watch the full FOX News coverage here.
BACKGROUND
Nitazenes are a family of synthetic opioids up to 40 times more potent than fentanyl. They are increasingly found in counterfeit pills and mixed into other illicit drugs, contributing to a sharp rise in overdose deaths nationwide.
Vindman’s bipartisan Nitazene Control Act would permanently schedule the entire class of nitazenes under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, closing loopholes that traffickers exploit by making slight chemical changes to evade enforcement.
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