Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of
     this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall--
       (1) ensure that each component of the Department of
     Homeland Security engaged in the detection, deterrence, and
     seizure of illicit fentanyl--
       (A) to the extent practicable, collaborate and share
     relevant information and data relating to the detection,
     deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl with other
     components of the Department of Homeland Security engaged in
     such detection, deterrence, and seizure or the measurement
     thereof; and
       (B) identify any barriers to sharing relevant information
     and data pursuant to paragraph (1); and
       (2) establish performance metrics relating to the
     detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl for
     the Department of Homeland Security and each component of
     such Department and ensure that such metrics align with any
     strategic objectives and goals of the Department related to
     the efforts of the Department to combat illicit fentanyl
     trafficking.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Garbarino) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw)
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.

                             general leave

  Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 8535.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8535, the Measuring Illicit
Fentanyl Trafficking Act. This legislation requires the Secretary of
Homeland Security to develop performance metrics relating to detection,
deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl for the Department of
Homeland Security and each of its components.
  Additionally, this bill requires each relevant DHS component to share
information related to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of
fentanyl with each other, as well as identify any barriers to sharing
information and data.
  The fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act required DHS
to establish a program to collect data and develop measures to assess
the effectiveness of efforts to detect and deter illicit fentanyl. It
also required the Government Accountability Office to audit the
program.
  A September 2025 GAO report analyzed the Department's efforts to
combat fentanyl trafficking, with findings that DHS had not yet
established the program, that CBP was not provided adequate information
from across DHS components that would inform the program, and that DHS
had not developed performance goals and metrics to track them.
  This legislation will support current DHS efforts to implement these
requirements and combat the flow of illicit fentanyl into the United
States.
  Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALKINSHAW. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 8535, the bipartisan Measuring Illicit Fentanyl
Trafficking Act, is based on the nonpartisan research and
recommendations of the Government Accountability Office, which last
year examined the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to detect,
deter, and seize illicit fentanyl.
  GAO identified critical gaps in DHS efforts against fentanyl
trafficking: a lack of coordination, information sharing, and measures
to assess DHS' effectiveness.
  As a result, GAO made three straightforward recommendations: first,
establish a program to collect data and measure effectiveness; second,
ensure access to information across DHS components; and, third, develop
performance goals and measures aligned with DHS' strategic objectives.
Our bill simply would put into law those commonsense recommendations.
  Fentanyl remains one of the most devastating public safety and public
health challenges facing our Nation. The scourge of fentanyl
trafficking is sobering. CDC data showed that fentanyl accounted for
over 69 percent of all drug overdose deaths in the United States in
2025. Last year alone, in the D.C. metropolitan region, there were
nearly 1,000 deaths due to fentanyl overdose.
  With lives, resources, and time on the line, it is important for DHS
personnel to not only work hard in the fight against illicit fentanyl
but to also work smart against this enormous challenge. That requires
collaboration and the ability to assess how their operations are having
an impact.
  Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. McCaul, who was my co-lead on this
legislation. I thank the chairman, Ranking Member Thompson, and Mr.
Correa, as well, who worked hard on it.
  As I said, this bipartisan legislation would put three GAO
recommendations for combating illicit fentanyl into law. It would
require the establishment of a program to collect data and measure the
effectiveness of current efforts to counter illicit fentanyl, ensure
information sharing across DHS components, and require the development
of performance goals and measures.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting H.R. 8535,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Madam Speaker, I congratulate and thank Mr. Walkinshaw for his hard
work on this bill. It is a great piece of legislation. I encourage my
colleagues to support H.R. 8535, and I yield back the balance of my
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Van Duyne). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8535, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill To direct
the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop performance metrics
relating to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl,
and for other purposes.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.