PRIA Logo™
119-hr-2024119th Congress

Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics (JTF-ISN) that would coordinate federal agencies to disrupt production, trafficking, and financing of synthetic opioids and related chemicals, with a specific focus on the People's Republic of China's role.

Show full summary
  • Federal and interagency leaders: Would establish a President-appointed Director who reports to the Attorney General and leads a multiagency membership from DOJ, Treasury, DHS, State, Commerce, Defense, and the intelligence community. The Director would provide semiannual briefings and a comprehensive 2-year plan with staffing and budget priorities.
  • Law enforcement and prosecutions: Would authorize joint investigations, seizures, prosecutions, money-laundering probes, and sanctions enforcement, and permit prosecuting non-U.S. persons in specified districts. Member agencies keep their existing authorities while sharing referrals and intelligence.
  • Domestic and international coordination: Would direct the JTF-ISN to develop strategies and reporting that address the People's Republic of China's role, and to coordinate operations with state, local, territorial, and Tribal partners.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Proposed national task force on synthetic drugs

This bill would create a Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics. The President would appoint a Director, with Senate approval, paid at Executive Schedule level II. Members would include DOJ (DEA, FBI, prosecutors), Treasury, Homeland Security (HSI, CBP, ICE, Coast Guard), State, Commerce, Defense, and the intelligence community. The task force would investigate trafficking and related money crimes, share information, and refer cases. It could run joint operations and raids with federal, State, territorial, Tribal, and local partners, and bring some overseas cases in specified federal districts.

Limits on who the task force targets

The task force would have a narrow mission. The Director could only focus on illicit synthetic narcotics suppliers and their networks. It would not authorize cases against people only for personal drug use. It would not authorize action against low‑level dealers who are not tied to larger networks.

What counts as an illicit synthetic drug

The bill would define "illicit synthetic narcotic." It would include controlled substances, listed chemicals, and active ingredients used to make them. It would exclude substances of natural origin. It would also exclude lawful medicines imported with a DEA import permit.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]

WA • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]

    MI • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large]

    SD • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 10/10/2025

  • Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 10/17/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation